A few days ago I wrote:

> A couple nights ago, at about 10:30, I went out into my backyard to look
> at the stars. We have a big tree back there which is often frequented by a
> band-tailed pigeon. When I got to the middle of the yard, I heard a sharp,
> high-pitched "tseeeee!" It was LOUD, and made me jump. The sound lasted
> about half a second, and the pitch tailed downward ever so slightly at the
> end. It definitely came from the big tree. I heard it a couple more
> times, then it stopped. I got the distinct sensation of being scolded. Any
> ideas on what this loud night-bird may have been?

After doing a little research listening to bird calls, I'm almost positive
the night bird I heard was a Northern Flicker. I hadn't heard of them
calling at night before, but I see them around my house and in that tree
fairly often.

Mike Cummings
Seattle, WA (Maple Leaf)
mook at drizzle.com