Re: Ventriloquism in Birds?

["Ray Mansell" BCTess]

Syd Curtis wrote:
> Would any Naturerecordist care to comment on ventriloquism in birds?
>
> I have encountered occasional references in the literature, but it seems =
to
> me to be a physical impossibility.  Am I right?
>
>

While I have no idea whether or not birds or other creatures have this
ability, nevertheless the technology does exist to create directed
"beams" of sound which may well give the impression of ventriloquism.
Search for references to Hypersonics (inventor- Woody Norris) or
Holosonics (inventor - Joseph Pompei). Since the technology uses sound
waves beyond the range of human hearing, and since we know some animals
can generate such sounds, then perhaps ventriloquism *is* a reality.  It
would certainly be a fascinating subject for research!

Ray Mansell