What is this high-pitched bird in a New England backyard?

April 16, 2019 1:58 PM

My parents live in a wooded area in Bristol County, MA and have lots of bird feeders, so the backyard is always full of wildlife! I can't quite figure out what this bird is, though. Its call (link) is simply a series of high-pitched buzzes on one note. What could it be?
posted by Seeking Direction to Pets & Animals (9 answers total)

I’m a bit out of my depth on American birds, and I couldn’t hear it that clearly on the recording, but maybe Golden-crowned Kinglet?
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 2:22 PM on April 16, 2019

I couldn't hear *anything* on that recording.

It's about the time of year that kinglets are most active (we had a garden full of them last week) and in quantity they can sound like tiny bells.
posted by scruss at 2:30 PM on April 16, 2019

Response by poster: It might very well be the kinglet! I wish I could’ve gotten a better-quality recording, but my phone was all I had on me.
posted by Seeking Direction at 2:54 PM on April 16, 2019

Is there a windchime in the background there? Trying to make sure I listen to the right bit of sound...
posted by purple_bird at 3:02 PM on April 16, 2019

Response by poster: Yes, there's a windchime and what sounds like chickadees/titmice quarreling at a feeder.
posted by Seeking Direction at 4:07 PM on April 16, 2019

I also heard mostly a wind chime. Maybe get a birdwatching app, like the Audobon one, and play its recordings of local birds to see if anything sounds familiar. Comparing sounds might be far less work than getting a good recording.
posted by bagel at 4:26 PM on April 16, 2019

Rufous Sided Towhee
posted by Oyéah at 4:35 PM on April 16, 2019

It sounds like a baby bird cheeping for food.
posted by zippy at 5:02 PM on April 16, 2019

Definitely kinglet! It's their time and it's their sound. The Golden-crowned version sounds like it blows up into song, and the Ruby-crowned is a bit lower pitch and more musical. Weight of a nickel, survives in ungodly cold temps, badass little warbler.
posted by Freyja at 8:48 PM on April 16, 2019 [3 favorites]