Ian, Carol, Peter et al,
Bending the topic slightly, while I have not
heard the ‘telephone’ call from a common blackbird, we have had one
in our garden since 2005 that does an excellent job of the first few bars of
the French national anthem, La Marseillaise…a very European Blackbird…
Cheers
Alastair
From: Carol Probets
[
Sent: Saturday, 21 April 2007 7:16
PM
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds]
'telephone bird'
I agree with Pete Cowper about the Blackbird. At least some individuals
have a short component of their song which sounds just like a phone! There used
to be one calling regularly in my street (in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains)
and whenever I was out in the garden it would fool me, just for an instant,
every time. I've heard people make the assumption this is mimicry but I'm not
so sure, I'm inclined to think it's just a natural part of their song.
At 7:25 AM +0300 21/4/07, Peter Cowper wrote:
While I was living in Flynn, there were a number of birds that made
these calls. I found them to be Common Blackbirds. Very annoying to be fooled
by a bird into thinking the phone was actually ringing. It got me at least once
a year, every year
Cheers,
Pete Cowper
On 4/21/07, Ian Fraser
<> wrote:
I've just been asked, not for the first time, for the identity of a
spring-calling suburban bird which sounds like a telephone ringing. (I
assume it resembles an old-fashioned telephone which actually sounds
like a phone!) An obvious response would be Red-capped Robin, but not
likely in suburbia. It is usually said to be 'elusive'. I can't come up
with a very convincing answer; any (sensible!) suggestions?
thanks!
Ian
--
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Carol Probets
Guided birding in the Blue
Mountains & Capertee Valley
PO Box 330
Katoomba NSW 2780
Web: http://www.bmbirding.com.au
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