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White breasted Nuthatch MCSP 355 Southern California -

You won't hear his call on the Audubon phone app. Back East and Midwest birders may not recognize this song.

About a year ago we watched this almost handsome fellow ( no pants. He had molted his pants off. ) fly to a branch and sing his heart out.

I have been haunted by his aria.

www.xeno-canto.org/409948

If that link opens it is a recording made by Lance Benner, a local bird expert and asteroid physicist.

"How many species of White-breasted Nuthatch are there? Genetic studies suggest at least three in the U.S., and maybe four. Vocalizations, which show remarkable differences among subspecies, strongly suggest three. ...If these subspecies ARE elevated to full species status, telling them apart visually is going to be a real challenge ..."

birdpop.org

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Uploaded on April 22, 2020
Taken on April 30, 2019