Yes it is a regular thing. Not surprisingly HANZAB describes this and notes
that this behaviour increases during Spring. Therefore it would be
associated with territoriality and very likely also with eliciting illicit
(or other more conventional unions) among WWs. (Fairy-wrens do that, so why
not WW?). The bit about aboriginal stories regarding the bird being a gossip
are also quite understandable. But about unions among people is a new one on
me, but sounds good.
Philip
-----Original Message-----From: David Rosalky
Sent: Tuesday, 22 October 2013 1:20 PM
To: 'sandra henderson'; 'Susanne Gardiner' Cc: 'canberra birds'
Subject: sleepless Willy Wagtail?
I am reliably informed (by reading "Poor Fellow my Country" many years ago)
that, according to Aboriginal culture, the WW calls at night to signal the
performance of elicit unions (amongst humans, not WWs). So, Susanne and
Sandra, I will refrain from seeking more information.
David
-----Original Message-----From: sandra henderson
Sent: Tuesday, 22 October 2013 12:55 PM
To: Susanne Gardiner Cc: canberra birds Subject: Re: [canberrabirds]
sleepless Willy Wagtail?
I've often heard them through the night. A couple of years ago during a
visit by some COG members to Oolambeyan Nat Park one sat outside the
homestead singing most of the night, every night! The Birds in Backyards
site provided by Birdlife Australia says "The Willie Wagtail's call is
well-known, often being uttered constantly throughout the night"
sandra h
On 10/22/13, Susanne Gardiner <> wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I spent the weekend at Camp Cottermouth, the Scouts camp site. Most of
> the nights on Fri and Sat a Willy Wagtail was singing. It was only
> quiet for a couple of hours, but I didn't look on my watch to check the
times.
>
> I have done plenty of camping, but never heard Willy Wagtails
> throughout the night.
> Could this have been because of the (very bright) full moon or because
> it's spring?
>
> (Or maybe it's absolutely normal, and Willy Wagtails and I have
> coincidently never spend the nights together, the chances of which
> would be very slim.)
>
> Cheers,
>
> Susanne
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