Dear interested birders
I thank John Gamblin who pointed out that my computer originally sent this note under the date of 1972 and so it is probably unread (being at the end of your long list in the inbox) or even filtered out of most peoples incoming mail. We think the way to get false dates is to get your spouse to run the computers battery totally flat!!!
It was nice to learn from Richard & Robert that my notes on some
recreational birdwatching had been published. [Since originally sending this I have received my own copy]
To help verify that I saw and heard a Zitting Cisticola in the guava
thickets at the very eastern end of Lake Tinnaroo near Yungaburra, [17 15 48s 145 35 24e] I shall
provide the following notes.
The crown had very bold striations, bolder than any female Golden-headed
Cisticola I have seen, and the call was also bold: a long "zit zit zit zit"
(often repeated - apparently a Zitting Cisticola habit). Simpson calls it
"insect-like" and I find that a fair representation; though Slaters "lik lik
lik would also fairly represent it. Beehler & Pratt differentiate the call
made when sitting (a ticking) from the call made when flying (zit zit zit)
and I do recall some variation as it moved from one thicket to another.
I have been seeing Golden-headed Cisticola for more than 30 years and have
them around our home here on campus - so are very familiar with their three
calls. Incidentally I identified Golden-headed Cisticola at four other locations on that trip being: Balimba Creek Reserve, Burke Development Road, Cairns Croc Farm, and Lake Mitchell.
Happy birding to you all.
Mike
--
Dr Mike Tarburton
Assoc. Prof. Biology
Pacific Adventist University
PMB Boroko
Papua New Guinea
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