Mimicry by Magpie & other matters

["Barbara Preston" <>]

Relatives in the country hand-raised a magpie that had been blown out of nest in a storm. The magpie was a fantastic mimic of human speech, quietly talking away to itself and sounding just like a person (gives you quite a start when you hear it unexpectedly). It will 'talk' in finely structured sentences, with question-like inflections and other apparent indications of sentence meaning. It makes sounds that appear to cover all vowells and consonants in English formed into 'words'. Wish they had taped it . . .

 

Other matters: the currawong food factory (aka crested pigeon nest) is re-established in a shrub (hakea) beside the public path outside our place - OK viewing for those walking past (I've put a little sign in the shrub). Pair of king parrots are spending a few hours most days quietly sitting in either of two dense shrubs also on the nature strip. Same with one to three eastern rosellas. Flock/s of about 30+ silvereyes have been about over the past week. Good lots of striated thornbills and fairy wrens about, and there are several eastern spinebills in addition to our residents enjoying the first of the camellias as well as the abundant correas etc.

 

cheers

Barbara

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Barbara Preston Research
ABN 18 142 854 599
21 Boobialla Street
O'Connor  ACT  2602
Phone: 61 2 6247 8919
Fax: 61 2 6247 8779
Mobile: 0439 47 8919
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