Unknown bird call

["David Cook" <>]

Dennis / Nick

 

The description matches the alternative call of the Brush Cuckoo, rather than the standard one of evenly spaced, slightly descending single notes.

 

The other call is the one which often leads to a manic high-pitched finish. If you have access to the BOCA calls, the first half is of the standard call, the second half has the call than strongly resembles Nick’s description.

 

David

 

From:

Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 11:33 PM

To: ; m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");">COG bird discussions

Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Unknown bird call

 

I am late in this dscussion, Nick, and I know you said it was on the lower slopes of Mt Buffalo, and coming from a tall Eucalypt.

My trouble is, your description of the call reminds me entirely and almost exclusively of a Little Grassbird.
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Megalurus-gramineus
Click on the sound file on the right hand column.

Was there a swampy area anywhere, nearby, as the call can carry deceptively. Perhaps the other side of the Gum Tree?

To my ears, the Brush Cuckoo does not fit your description - not even close, as I read your words:

• Three equal notes, the second slightly lower than the first and the third slightly higher than the first, then the same three notes repeated at a slightly higher pitch, then repeated again at a higher pitch again
  

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cacomantis-variolosus

 

 

Denis Wilson

Some things in the universe are greater and deeper
than human intelligence.
It is the Power of Nature which bewilders us.

"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com.au

On Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 4:49 PM, Nick Payne <> wrote:

Outside the COG area, but while cycling up Mt Buffalo this morning, on the lower slopes I heard a bird call I couldn't identify, coming from a tall Eucalypt. Three equal notes, the second slightly lower than the first and the third slightly higher than the first, then the same three notes repeated at a slightly higher pitch, then repeated again at a higher pitch again. A pause of five or so seconds, and then the same nine notes repeated. In musical notation, like the attached image. Any suggestions on what the bird was? I didn't see it.

Nick



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