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Re Judie's note below. My first article about
Regent Honeyeater vocal mimicry (ABW 14(5): 180-189) noted (page 186) that
"Unlike several other Australian passerine families, members of the
Meliphagidae are not noted for indulging in vocal mimicry. Indeed Chisholm
(1932) ... noted "Not one species .... of honeyeater is a mimic, though
some of them have worthy voices......" I also found several examples but
these did not include the Noisy Miner. So maybe you have added to the
list.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From:
Judie Peet <>
To:
birding aus <>
Date:
Monday, 18 September 2000 9:31
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Re
Wellington NSW Birdcount
SOMETHING DIFFERENT: While we were
searching for birds for the Birdcount, we clearly heard an Olive-backed
Oriole calling. Couldn't find it though. Then a Noisy Miner flew
in, perched and called. Watching it with binoculars to be certain that
it was not a Yellow-throated, I saw it open its beak and call
"Orry-orry-ole". Pointed this out to my friend who was
disbelieving at first, but could then hear that the oriole call was coming
from the beak of a Noisy Miner. The miner continued with that call a few
more times, then sang some different songs. Can someone tell me if
they usually mimic other birds? Or have I previously missed a very
oriole-ish part of their normal repertoire?
Regards, Judie
Peet
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