> Around Dayboro north of Brisbane I've heard Crimson Rosellas referred to
as
> "Blue-mountain Parrots", Striated Pardalotes as "chip-chips" and Crested
> Pigeons as "topknots", though I expect this is fairly common around Oz.
> Tom Tarrant
> Dayboro, Qld
When I was a kid, striated pardalotes were called "chook-chooks", I guess
for the same onomatopoeic reason. "Blue mountain parrot" referred to the
rainbow lorikeet. Not being a "birdy" kid, the only other ones I noticed
were leatherheads, sprags and mickeys (apart from the usual kookaburras,
magpies etc). All of the common names (and calls) I knew were learnt from
my Nana (who also used to talk about Jacky Winters, unfortunately long
absent from this area). Dad still refers to Diamond Sparrows and Spice
Finches (the former also long absent).
As for Crested Pigeons, my brother and I favour the descriptive appellation
"Squeaky Pigeon" ;^)
Vicki PS
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