Colin:
I would not consider the Kookaburras laugh as a duet although their
calls seem to be synchronize to our ears in most cases they are not.
As you point out, chorusing is perhaps a better description.
Interestingly, each component of a kookaburras call can be used alone by
individual birds to help mediate aggressive confrontations.
Chhers, Jim
Dr. Wm. James Davis, Editor
Interpretive Birding Bulletin
On Wed, 8 Jul 1998, Colin/Merian Richardson wrote:
> Not exactly duetting, but one could mention the Laughing Kookaburra as
> "chorusing"! I guess I can't be the only one who has witnessed as many as
> 11 kookaburras laughing together, and noted that in those circumstances the
> normal single kookaburra laugh is not being performed by all or even most
> individuals in the chorus. I noted (from sound and closely observed bill
> movements) the some were giving the down beat laugh, and others were doing
> off beat rhythm, one even in the old brass band 3/4 time (oom)-pa-pa rhythm
> (the oom being silent)!.
>
> Colin T. Richardson
> 80 Mingelo St, TOTTENHAM NSW 2873, Australia
> Ph.+61-2-68924222
> Email:
>
> ----------
> > From: James Davis <>
> > To: John Leonard <>
> > Cc: OZ Bird Listserve <>
> > Subject: Re: Barking owls and deutting
> > Date: Wednesday, 8 July 1998 3:16 pm
> >
> > John:
> >
> > I had the same thought when I first learned about duetting in Magpie
> > Larks. There is a paper by Susan Tingay in the Emu 74 titled "Antiphonal
> > song of the Magpis Lark". Depending upon how duetting is defined there
> are
> > probably alot of species that duet. Of course, precise timing of singing
> > is one criteria but perhaps, we should include functionality as well.
> > Currently, I am trying to decide what criteria to use... any thoughts or
> > opinions? Any other Australian species that you know duet? The Grey
> Crown
> > Babbler is probably one.
> >
> > Cheers, Jim
> >
> > Dr. Wm. James Davis, Editor
> > Interpretive Birding Bulletin
> >
> >
> > On Wed, 8 Jul 1998, John Leonard wrote:
> >
> > > Is the person who described Magpie Larks as 'duetting' really meaning
> to say
> > > 'chorusing' i.e. that territorial chanting that pairs perform to defend
> their
> > > territory?
> > >
> > >
> > > John Leonard
> > >
> > >
>
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