To add my bit to the magpie mimicry files, my parents have been
helping to support a pair of Magpies in Glen Iris, a Melbourne suburb
about 12 km SE of the CBD, for many years. In that time there have
been (I think) two replacement males, and one replacement female - the
original female lived for at least 17 years. Mimicry has included
Eastern Rosellas, Mynas, Blackbirds, Masked Lapwings, dogs barking and
even a perfectly intelligible "Here, boy" followed by a whistle like
someone calling a dog. It's usually been delivered at low volume and
in an absent-minded manner, as if the bird is thinking or something
else - sort of vocal doodling? All the sounds are local ones, but
I've never checked whether all the common local sounds are included.
From: Jack Krohn, Glen Waverley, Victoria.
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: MAGPIE MIMICS OTHER BIRDS
Author: < > at smtpgwy
Date: 12/19/97 9:46 AM
Hi all... Lorne here...
I was surprised to find a MAGPIE out the front of my house the other
day, immitating the calls of Noisy Miners, Satin Bowerbird, Currawong
and Grey Butcherbird!!!!!! I've NEVER heard a magpie mimic other birds
before! Two of my field guides say they do this though!
MERRY XMAS,
LGJ.
Santa's little birder!!!!!!
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