Red Crossbills have been hanging around the area a lot of late and one thing I've learned is they seem to be able to make a number of different noises. I managed to capture a couple of them this morning, the first just a series of chirps, while the second is 3 chirps followed by a series of alternating "buzzes" (best description I can think of). They've got some other sounds as well - one pretty odd that I can't begin to describe - but need to work a little more to capture them.This recording is edited down to about 1:17 and more prominent than the crossbill is the repeated trilling of a Chipping Sparrow, with some occasional chirps from one of the local robins. It starts with a crossbill chirping followed immediately by the sparrow. At about 37 or 38 seconds the crossbill's chirps will be noticeably louder and quickly fade - it left its perch and was flying right overhead. Beginning at 54 seconds, the crossbill's call is 3 short chirps followed by alternating buzzes until the end of the recording. Click on the link below to listen, file is mp3 format and about 1.5 megabytes.
Red Crossbill Sounds
Nice picture! Did you recently take that or is it from your portfolio? Also, our family just went up to Alaska, and you can see pictures of our trip at http://www.tucktravel.blogspot.com.
Thanks! Pic is from about a year ago. The crossbills hanging around now are always up at the top of the tallest pines they can find. On my way to check out your Alaska photos - great place, isn't it?
Yeah, we had an amazing time there. We lucked out and got nice weather, too!