Hello Tweets,

Is it possible or even confirmed that Alder Flycatcher populations from
eastern North America and those in western populations vary that much in
call and song such as they most often described three syallabled "fee-BEE-o"
song compared to the near consistant "ree-BEER" song described in many
publications and often noted in western North America. One such publication
is described in "The Birds of British Columbia" Volume #3 by R.Waye
Cambell,Neil K.Dawe,Ian McTaggart-Cowna,John M.Cooper,Gary W.Kaiser,Michael
C.E.McNall,and G.E.John Smith, which states on page 40 in association with
comments made by Kaufmann that the 3 syllabled "fee-bee-oh" song actually
does sound like a two syallabled "rrree-beep" song,with the third syllable
inaudible. The authors go on to mention that in British Columbia this 2
syllabled song is heard and may sound like "rrree-peet",so the question is
can Willow Flycatchers on occasion like perhaps the Okanogan Co. bird sound
like Alder Flycatchers consistantly with perhaps the main song being not as
drwan out and comparative to basic Alder Flycatchers, if not by basic
plumage characteristics but more importantly by thier distinctive songs. May
a sonogram(s) of possible Alder Flycatchers away from normally breeding
grounds/and in migration be always necessary in identifying Alder
Flycatchers,especially in western North America. Can either species be told
by only calls or as indicated by many the only true way in positively
identifying "true" Alder Flycatchers in the field hearing or tape-recording
their basic song? Perhaps the variability between both species is so great
that they may never be able to be identified well enough for confirmation in
WA.


Sincerely,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net