Whatbird.com

Hi,

 I've done a lot of hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains (in the Los Angeles area) recently and have enjoyed listening/watching birds.  I heard a bird on a hike to Echo Mountain Trail yesterday that had a very unique call that I hope you can help identify what made it.

Here's an mp3 I took using my point-and-shoot camera.  http://www.100hikes.com/temp/birdID.mp3 (you can hear it at the half-way point.  If you download the file and play it in an audio player, it's at 00:15 seconds)  It sounds almost like a wooden xylophone.

Also, while I have you listening to the file, can you identify the common call heard thoughout?  The call is like "sschreeee  schreeee"

Thanks,

Kolby

100hikes.com

I hear a raven at one point (the caw-ing sound), and what sounds like a spotted towhee throughout (the "sschreeee").  I think the dry sort of gurgling sounds that you are referring to may be some form of raven call.

I agree that the schreeeee song is that of the Spotted Towhee.