I just got home and was sitting on the floor of my kitchen petting my cat while she ate (her favorite thing), and I happened to look up and out the window toward the feeders. A junco was on the feeder and a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was perched on the railing below it, flicking its wings.
I commando-crawled out of the kitchen to get my camera, but of course the thrush was gone when I snuck back. I went outside in case it might be visible, but, no such luck. I did my best Gray-cheek night-flight-call imitation (a brief, down-slurred, high whistle), which was pretty pathetic, I admit. But after a few whistles I got a response (at least I'm saying that's why it called). We whistled back and forth a few times, and then I stopped and it kept on whistling (which they always do so you never can tell if you actions actually make a whit of difference of if they'd be out there calling anyway). It's getting dark, so maybe it is trying to motivate its troops and head out. You just have to wonder how much goes on just outside our notice. I've had quite a few Hermit Thrushes in the yard this last week, but this bird had a completely dully dark face without a hint of an eyering, and the prominent malar streak that always seems to me to be more obvious on Gray-cheeks than the other thrushes. Plus the call confirmed it. I am quite frankly surprised that it was so similar to my tortured imitation. I was even on the right pitch! Kevin -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
