I have noted with interest the comments over the last few months
about blackbirds’ mimicking ability. Now, over the last few very early mornings
I have heard (and seen) proof of this myself. A blackbird that currently frequents
our garden does the most amazing takeoff of a telephone ringing. Just two ‘ring-ring’s,
but so good as to cause my wife to comment that ‘the neighbours are
really quick to answer their phone’. It also does a variation – a single
ring that sounds more like a mobile. Quite brilliant. Our neighbours call it
the telephone bird.
I find it interesting, having grown up with blackbirds in
England, that it doesn’t seem to sing, but rather has a collection of
calls. So now I lie in bed in the morning waiting for the phone to ring,
comfortable in knowing that I don’t need to get up and answer it.
Happy Christmas to all cog-listers and good birding in 2008.
Ian Hodgson
