Thanks to everyone who responded, on and off-line, about the spirit bird
referred to in Rabbit-proof Fence.
I had missed the fact that this had already been discussed on birding-aus. I
understand that the consensus then, and now, is that the bird referred to in
the film and seen overhead was a Black Kite, whereas the call heard at the
same time was that of a Whistling Kite.
And many thanks too to Denise Goodfellow and her Kunwinjku son Peterson
Njangmirra for their phone call from the Top End in which Peterson shared
with me his understanding of the role of the several Spirit Birds he is
familiar with in his culture - quite a separate matter, I found, from the
reference in the movie. A call that was as enjoyable and informative as it
was unexpected.
Bill Jolly
"Abberton",
Lockyer Valley, Queensland.
Visit our website at http://www.abberton.org <http://www.abberton.org/>
Email: <>
Ph: (+61) 7 4697 6111 Fax: (+61) 7 4697 6056
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