Tweeters,

I'd just like to add some caution to the various "notes" about
Zonotrichia songs that have been circulating recently. Specifically, are
you sure that your renditions of subspecies songs are as widespread as
you seem to be implying?

White-crowned songs have been studied intensively, with many published
articles. One of the noteworthy results (admittedly mostly from studies
of Z. l. nuttalli, the non-migratory California subspecies) is that these
birds have very local dialects, unique to specific areas. Different
populations of the same subspecies separated by quite small distances
have discernable differences in cadence and emphasis.

To suggest that any White-crown subspecies has phonetically-identical
songs throughout its range, or that one can use the song from one
location to identify a White-crown subspecies somewhere else, requires
assumptions that need testing. For example, the gambeli that migrate
through Sequim, WA, in spring are somewhat variable between individuals
in the sound of everything following the first two introductory notes,
sometimes sounding remarkably like the local breeding pugetensis and
sometimes quite different. But I'm still not certain about this and
would want more analysis to be sure. To suggest that the zweets and
trrrrs of a White-crowned subspecies in Vancouver, B. C. can be used over
the internet to identify a migrant subspecies many miles away may be a
bit of a stretch.

I therefore second Jack Bowling's caution, and add that some visual
characteristics best be used to subspeciate these guys.

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim

>
>And Michael P. had written -
>>pugetensis: surr, seeee, zweetzweetzue trrrr
>>(first two notes typical Zono (slangish for stripe-headed sparrow) clear
>>and sweetly minor, next three buzzy, last dry-trilled, sometimes almost a dry
>> rattle)
>
>The problem with all such transliterations is that they are open to
>translation by individuals. Given a couple of days with either race, and the
>differences become obvious. The way I hear the two songs, pugetensis
>is like a Pavarotti stuck on overly-loud Bizet, eager to shout every note,
>especially the penultimate ones. Gambelii is more laid-back and lets the
>melody do the talking and walking without forcing the issue.
>
> - Jack

>This description fits the way White-crowned Sparrows sound in
>Anchorage, Michael. Or anywhere I've heard them in Alaska.
>My first edition National Geo field guide says we're supposed
>to have gambelli. Doesn't mention pugetensis. Is pugetensis
>a more recent split from gambelli?
>
>pugetensis: surr, seeee, zweetzweetzue trrrr

>(first two notes typical Zono (slangish for stripe-headed sparrow) clear
>and
>sweetly minor, next three buzzy, last dry-trilled, sometimes almost a dry
>rattle)<

>Chris Maack
>Anchorage, AK