Koels are back at Newport
Beach. I heard the first call of the season on 16 Sept
and one bird has called every day since then. It's definitely
the same bird as it has a very distinctive hoarse voice. And not only
hoarse but getting hoarser. At first it was just a little strained and off
key, now it produces a weird two-toned effect in the second half of
each cooee.
It's decidely eerie, and I wonder whether the bird
will end up completely voiceless and whether it might be less likely to breed as
a result.
Has anyone heard anything like this
before?
Belinda Dettmann
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