Hello, Recently, I participated in bird walks with well-known Eastern birders.
On these walks, the leaders cited the 'fact' that only female Carolina Wrens make the 'comb' call. I have never heard this observation before so I began checking all the references I could find in my home library and online. I have found no reference that specifically states that only females make this sound. The closest thing I have found comes from a website at (google) Tennessee Watchable Wildlife - Carolina wren which states: "Voice: The song is a loud ringing, repeated series of notes: tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle. Calls include a chatter likened to teeth rubbing on a metal comb, staccato notes, and scolding churrs. The male and female often duet with the female giving a raspy churr in response to the male tea-kettle song." This does not say that males do not make this call. I assume that "the raspy churr" is the comb call. Is this an error of omission? (I also checked the sources listed at bottom, in addition to many others not listed) Has anyone else heard this fact (in error) OR does anyone have source information confirming this observation of vocalizations? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! David Jordet Staten Island (unable to find any references for professional literature) Sources: Books: SIbley Guide to BIRD BEHAVIOR Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion Web: Cornell - All About Birds - general description and sounds Tennessee Watchable Wildlife - Carolina Wren (as written above) Depauw University -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
