which cuckoo is which

Cuckoo still calling but this time it took the form of an even series of single-note 'coos' (as opposed to yesterday's double-notes). I always used to associate the even single-note call (or song, if that's what it is) with the Black-billed but I later discovered that the Yellow-billed makes a very similar sound. So I determined to locate the caller and, by a good chance, he (assuming it was a he) had taken a position high in a tree that was only partly leafed out in order to broadcast his presumed love song to as wide an area as possible. And it was indeed a Yellow-billed Cuckoo with its lower yellow bill, red on the wings, touch of a black facial mask and fairly long black-and-white tail easily seen. At each 'coo' I could see his throat puff out but, unlike passerine song birds, he never opened his beak to emit the sound.

Was this a different bird from yesterday's visitor? That bird emitted an even double-note sequence quite regularly but was constantly on the move high in the canopy; I never actually saw it. Or was it the same bird making a different call? Do Yellow-bills ever make an even double-call or do they stick to the single-note song or their more familiar -- and distinctive -- gulping ritardando?

Saw both Black-capped Chickadees and a Tufted Titmouse this morning (I unaccountably missed both of them yesterday).

One bird that I omitted from yesterday's survey but is definitely around is the sleek Cedar Waxwing -- no longer in flocks but showing up as one bird at a time. Perhaps they are paired and, although they have the reputation of nesting late (like the Goldfinches), they may be already paired. Oddly enough I also skipped the crows, Common and Fish. Yes, we also have Starlings, House Sparrows and, from time to time, Rock Doves, a.k.a. City Pigeons. Since these are introduced birds, I don't care to count them.

Eric Salzman