Valerie Curtis wrote:
[snip]
> Why should the bird imitate this one 'mechanical' sound?
Turning the argument around, how does a lyrebird distinguish a "natural"
sound from a "man-made" one? The simple answer is - it doesn't.
A lyrebird's song has two main messages - "Here I am!" and "Aren't
I a wonderful singer?" It doesn't matter what sounds it mimics, as
long as they help deliver those messages. Many of the mimicked sounds
are loud birdcalls: Crimson Rosellas, Laughing Kookaburras, Pilotbirds,
Pied Currawongs etc. Quiet birdcalls are less useful; they still
demonstrate the bird's singing prowess, but are wasted if a female
(or rival male) can't hear them. Car alarms, hammered tent pegs and
(sooner or later) mobile phones also fit the bill. Camera shutters
aren't loud, but for a captive bird they are a common sound which is
probably also important - a female is less likely to be impressed by
a mimicked sound if she can't judge its quality.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Paul Taylor Veni, vidi, tici -
I came, I saw, I ticked.
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