Tweeters:

I'm not in town much, spending most of my time birding the high seas, so, I
lurk on the sidelines, briefly reviewing Tweeters' postings in digest form.
Michael Price's posting re the weird Black-headed Grosbeak song reminds me
of a couple of recent reports along similar lines. There already was a
report here a few weeks ago of a Northern Parula singing a Prairie Warbler
song in Point Pelee, Ont. Recently, there was another report, also from
Point Pelee, of a Black-throated Blue Warbler singing perfect copies of
Chestnut-sided Warbler among renditions of its own song. I depend an awful
lot on my ears for identification (as we all do), especially during BBS
routes and, although this information is not new, certainly is interesting
just the same. Finches are well known for this behaviour (just listen to a
singing Pine Siskin), and an old article in "Western Birds" documented
around 15-20 species imitated by a single Lesser Goldfinch. At least I
don't have to worry about this when I go to sea!

By the way Randy, greetings to Ray too!

Cheers,
Michael

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Michael Force
2304 Prince Albert Street
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
V5T 3W5
(604) 873-6184
mforce at istar.ca