Blackbird's song

[Vicki Powys <>]

I wonder if it is so, that European Blackbirds in Europe are more sonorous than the Aussie imports, and if so, why?  I have made recordings at Sunny Corner in the high country of NSW.  There were at least 15 different song phrases occurring randomly in a long bout of singing, and incorporated into the song were snippets of mimicry of Aussie birds such as Pee Wees and Crimson Rosellas.  But the birds I recorded were always furtive and elusive and difficult to approach, and there were not many of them in any one place.

Perhaps there are more Blackbirds per acre in Europe, and they are bolder, and they need to sing in more complex ways in order to compete with other Blackbirds?

Can you comment on this Simon?  Are the UK Blackbirds more numerous and bolder than the Aussie Blackbirds you have observed?

Vicki Powys






on 21/7/03 12:38 PM, simon starr at  wrote:

> Michael Hunter in his report on a visit to Paris mentioned that he wished his Blackbirds at home sang as well as the French ones that he heard.
> I moved to Australia from the UK 10 years ago and have yet to hear a Blackbird sing anywhere close to as well as I was used to back in the "old country".
> Their song over here just never seems to really get going.I've asked a few Aussies who've said that yes they do sing well here,but they haven't heard an English Blackbird in full song. The question is why?
> Are they longing for home?!
> Simon Starr.