mystery whistle (1 Viewer)

[opticoholic]

Can anyone help identify the bird singing with a melodic whistle in the following poor recording? You will hear the whistle at about 3 seconds into the recording, then later after the rooster crows, near the end it gives more of a 2 part song with 1 or 2 introductory notes. Try to ignore the noise in the recording, the Common Nighthawk, Dark-eyed Junco, chickadees, rooster crowing, etc. I'm just interested in the whistle. The pitch and character is somewhat similar to a Common Poorwill, but I don't think that is what it is. I hope it isn't some domestic fowl or something.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/38295196/mystery_whistle.mp3

More information about the recording:

• Date: 6/19/2015
• Time: ~5:10 am, well before sunrise
• Tulare County, California, east slope of sierras (Sherman Pass Road near Kennedy Meadows Campground)
• elevation ~6160 feet
• Dry habitat, some juniper & pine trees
• Other species in the area: domestic rooster, Western Bluebird, Common Nighthawk, Mountain Chickadee, Western Tanager, Rock Wren, etc.

Thanks in advance.
Dave

 

[Microtus]

The call in question is a Northern Bobwhite's call. I don't think that the species is native to California.

 

[Owen Krout]

Agree, definitely a Bobwhite. Possibly escaped from a captive breeding? A quick check didn't show anything for California, but they have been introduced into southern Oregon, so either a spill-over from there or California Game Department has attempted some introduction?