What bird is singing this song? (1 Viewer)

T

TexasMockingbird

Bird Nerd

• Feb 18, 2014

• #1

This is going to be a long shot, but it's driving me CRAZY
I live in North Houston, 'my' house is on a partially wooded golf course. Every night at dusk from later summer through early fall I hear this bird. It sounds like it's flying as it sings and the best I can describe the sound--"deee-deeee"...trailing off into a chirrup.

 

S

Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Feb 18, 2014

• #2

Did it sound like this?

http://www.xeno-canto.org/96744

 

K

KAC

Well-known member

• Feb 18, 2014

• #3

Maybe a Killdeer?

http://www.xeno-canto.org/164564

 

Rapala

Well-known member

• Feb 19, 2014

• #4

Simon Wates said:

Did it sound like this?

http://www.xeno-canto.org/96744

Click to expand...

Seems like a Woodcock to me too. On the ground they make nasal "peent" calls, but in flight their song consists of extensive, high-pitched twittering that could sound like your deeee-deeeee, and their display does end in a short chirrup. They're usually difficult to see, as they prefer dense forests and thickets, as well as fields edges but can be heard quite easily in the evening. I'll bet this is your bird.

 

K

KAC

Well-known member

• Feb 21, 2014

• #5

Would an American Woodcock be in northern Houston at that time of the year? I thought they were only possible winter residents. What about a Common Nighthawk?

http://www.xeno-canto.org/59028

 

Peter C.

...just zis guy, you know?

• Feb 21, 2014

• #6

Rapala said:

Seems like a Woodcock to me too. On the ground they make nasal "peent" calls, but in flight their song consists of extensive, high-pitched twittering that could sound like your deeee-deeeee, and their display does end in a short chirrup. They're usually difficult to see, as they prefer dense forests and thickets, as well as fields edges but can be heard quite easily in the evening. I'll bet this is your bird.

Click to expand...

But "late summer to early fall" ? I don't know what happens in Texas, of course, never having been there, but I'd be surprised if the Woodcocks are displaying at that time of year (Texans, anyone?).

I think the O/P's description sounds more like Killdeer, although I'm at a loss to explain the 'chirrup' part. And Killdeer do call at night, in flight, at any time of year.


Peter

 

Rapala

Well-known member

• Feb 21, 2014

• #7

KAC said:

Would an American Woodcock be in northern Houston at that time of the year? I thought they were only possible winter residents.
http://www.xeno-canto.org/59028

Click to expand...

They do reside in parts of Texas for the winter, but as you Peter C. mentioned I'm not sure they do display other times of the year than spring. Is it close enough to spring for them to be displaying? TexasMockingbird, are you able to record the song, even as a video and strip the mp3? It would be helpful in the ID, if at all possible.

 

Fritz73

Wat mutt, dat mutt!

Staff member

Supporter

• Feb 22, 2014

• #8

Wilson's Snipe?