Oriole mimicking

[Robert Parnell <>]

Hi Philip

I had a similar experience this afternoon. The bird was in a large plane tree and I couldn't find it for quite some time. I thought at first it was a Common Myna by the chirring. It imitated an Eastern Rosella a couple of times as well as giving it's own call. I watched it preen itself and then went in side and got a camera. I took a few photos and put it on Canberra Nature Map.

I had been hearing the bird call a few times over the last few days.

Rob

Narrabundah

On Fri, 17 Apr 2020 at 17:13, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

I just went out for a stroll around the block. In the local park I heard then watched an Olive-backed Oriole. Singing almost without pause, over several minutes (as in probably before I arrived until it stopped for some preening and I continued on my way) evenly mixed along with the usual call: mimicry of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Butcherbird, Dusky Woodswallow, Crimson Rosella and simple high pitched chirps that I could not pick. They are known as good mimics but two curious things. Those species I could pick have all been around my area within the last days or weeks (I had a pair of Grey Butcherbirds in the garden this morning but at least one had been around for weeks). Also seems odd to do that in mid April.

 

Philip,

Kambah  ACT  2902