Hi all --

Three times now this month I've listened to a Pine Siskin singing in
my yard and including within its song extensive vocal mimicry of at
least ten other bird species. There is no mention of this species
mimicking in the Birds of North America account, nor in a quick web
search I just did. So I'm very curious if others have ever heard
this.

My bird(s) mimicked the following species:

American Robin
Violet-green Swallow
Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler
House Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Towhee or Hermit Thrush
Northern Flicker

In all cases, the mimicry was of call notes, and not songs. All
these species currently reside in the neighborhood and would be
readily heard by a siskin living here or passing through.

Lesser Goldfinches are well-known for their vocal mimicry, and the
BNA Account does mention one case of a Pine Siskin mated to a
Eurasian Siskin in captivity mimicking the Eurasian's flight call.
But otherwise, I know of no evidence for vocal mimicry in Pine
Siskins. I'd love to hear if any of you out there have heard this
before.

Jay Withgott
Portland, OR
withgott at comcast.net