Observations and questions on robins

[Scott Jackson-Ricketts]

While in Silver Gate, Montana last week, (still late winter there), I was surrounded by robins and their songs.  My estimation of actual numbers goes past 20 lusty males.  In the early morning, between them and the white-crowned sparrows, I could hardly hear myself think, (a welcome respite). 

Anyway, I noted that their songs were of higher pitch and delivered in a more rapid tempo than that with which I am familiar.  I studied on this all four mornings, and immediately compared our eastern robins upon my first morning back in Grayson County.  No doubt about it.  But, here is the strangest thing.  It took me until the fourth morning to find the culprits behind a very high clear whistle, reminiscent of cedar waxwings, which was another prominent sound in Silver Gate.  Lo and behold, it was the robin, or I should say many robins.  I have never heard that call from a robin here, or anywhere before.  So, the question is, has anyone else out there in email land had a similar experience or any more information regarding this observation? 

Another quick note:  the golden-crowned kinglet's song was also different enough that not until I saw one was I certain it was what it was.  Through Donald Kroodsma's and other's work, we know that there are dialects among widespread species, and can be indicative of an eventual species split, like isolated populations of marsh wrens, for instance.  Not that I am suggesting the ubiquitous robin is ready for that.

Scott Jackson-Ricketts

Grayson County, Va.

[Eric Johnson]

I have heard eastern robins give the waxwing-like call (I did my Ph.D. on robins and pesticides). The Western robin's song to me is flatter and less melodious the the Eastern. Eric Johnson, Stuart --- On Mon, 6/16/08, Scott Jackson-Ricketts <sco...@ls.net> wrote:

[Scott Jackson-Ricketts]

Eric, I agree about less melodious.  Thanks for your info.  SJ-R