Gail S. asked -

> Hi Tweets,
> I'd appreciate advice about differentiating the song of the Solitary =
> Vireo from the Red-eyed Vireo. I have checked several sources: Thayer's =
> Birds of NA, Peterson CD-ROM, Peterson-Western BirdSongs, Know Your =
> Common Bird Songs(AXIA), Birds of the Okanagan(CD by J. Neville), =
> Birding by Ear(western edition), and several field guides.
> What I have found so far is that there is a great deal of difference =
> among the recorded songs. Many of the recorded songs do not match =
> suggested mnemonics(sp?). In fact, they don't match each other. Why =
> don't these birds listen to the recordings and learn the "right" song ? =
> :-)

Hahahaha!!


> Basically, what I have learned is that the Solitary's song is usually =
> slower--longer pauses between the phrases.
> Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks in advance.

Depends which race of Solitary Vireo you are talking about. Your race
in the Kootenays should be _V. s. cassinii_ or Cassin's Solitary Vireo.
This one's voice is huskier, slower, and usually lower-pitched than a
nearby Red-eyed Vireo. It has a noticeable "burr" in its voice like a
Scotchman. Be thankful that you don't live east of the Rockies. There, the
_V. s. solitarius_ race or "Blue-headed Vireo" reigns. This race sounds
much closer to a Red-eyed Vireo than those west of the Rockies.

However,there are a couple of types of phrases which are unique to Solitarys
which Red-eyed do not sing, and vice versa. The "catchphrase" which I
listen for in Cassin's Vireo is a snarled "RICH-ard". The Red-eyed has no
complement in its repertoire. As always, the best way to nail down a song
is to listen to the two birds singing simultaneously.

- Jack





Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca