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Yes
the Grey Butcherbird is an occasional mimic, quite apart from a wide range of
songs and squawks in its usual repertoire. That mimicry is normally of other
bird calls and as with most bird vocal mimicry (actually just copying) the usual
context is that there is no context. Normally bird vocal mimicry is not in
direct response to hearing the sound. Is the very loud alarm
went off at 6:40 a.m. a human made sound (it says
"my") or was it alarm calls from other birds? Whether this observation is
mimicry of a machine sound or coincidence or whatever is hard to say. I suggest
that if the alarm is like some of their normal calls it would not be.
Philip
Dear All,
My daughter has written to ask if Butcher birds mimic other sounds.
My impression is that they do,but I would be interested in others
experience? The bird in question is a resident of the small wood
near the townhouses in Boldrewood Street,Turner.
Des Clark-Walker
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Roz.Clark-Walker" <>
Date: 26 March 2013 9:56:06
AM
To: ""
<>
Subject: Have you ever heard of a
butcher bird mimicking other sounds?
Hi
Dad,
This
morning my very loud alarm went off at 6:40am and less than a minute later, it
sounded like my resident butcher bird mimicked the sound, as he was just
outside my window. He then went on to make his more regular calls. I might
have been still groggy with sleep, so I may not have heard too correctly, but
have you ever heard of a butcher bird mimicking other noises?
Love
Roz
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