Hoary Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni
Flight call description Most common flight call is a short series of measured "tchu" calls with variable buzziness. Often intermixed with "tchu" calls is a clear, rising "draaai" and sometimes a long, buzzy or trilled, somewhat liquid "jzzzzzzz".
Fig.1. Manitoba June 24, 1958 (William W. H. Gunn)
"Tchu" call from bird in flight on breeding grounds. Borror Lab of Bioacoustics cat. no. 23564.
Fig.2. Manitoba June 24, 1958 (William W. H. Gunn).
"Draaai"' call (slightly atypical) from bird in flight on breeding grounds. Borror Lab of Bioacoustics cat. no. 23564.
Fig.3. Manitoba June 24, 1958 (William W. H. Gunn)
"Jzzzzzzz" call from bird in flight on the breeding grounds. Borror Lab of Bioacoustics cat. no. 23564.
Examples
Diurnal calling sequence:
1. Manitoba June 24, 1958 (William Gunn). Bird in flight giving series of "tchu" notes. This recording as well as the three recordings used to make the figures are from the Borror Lab of Bioacoustics at Ohio State University, catalogue number 23564.
Similar species "Tchu" calls very similar to Common Redpoll's "tchet" calls but tend to be softer, simpler, and often more descending. Probably much overlap. "Draaai" call distinctive. It is more pure-toned and more evenly rising than Common's "duraaai", without the complex dip at the beginning. See Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch.
Behavior Thought to be primarily a diurnal migrant but probably begins movement well before sunrise. Gives flight calls regularly while perched and in flight during the day. Not known to give flight calls at night.