Syd has written a very interesting account of how Rufous Scrub-birds
have learnt to ignore tape-recordings of RSB calls. Presumably with
most species playing back their calls doesn't sound quite right to
them, but they respond anyway, on the off chance that its a real bird.
These RSBs have learnt not to bother, and presumably younger birds
have picke dup this behaviour and are perpetuating this.
However, forgive me if I am missing a point and am in fact a deeply
unethical person, but what's the harm in this? It's just adaptive
evolution of behaviour and the RSBs are now probably wiser and more
'fit' birds.
I remember trying to find Azure-hooded Jays in Costa Rica at a
well-known birding spot with a guide using tapes. After a while it
became apparent that the Jays were just playing with us, calling, then
flying to another location, and calling again, all without letting
themselves be seen. After a while the guide said: "Let's just gather
up the tattered shreds of our dignity and leave", and we left with the
Jays mocking us.
John L
On 1/14/07, Syd Curtis <> wrote:
Ricki,
You have written, "I've also had it anecdotally that the scrub-birds
in one area of south-east Queensland don't call any more due to the huge
amount of playback which has been employed ..."
I can offer some evidence to support that. A decade or so ago, I was asked
by the organisers of a "bird week", to lead a party to a particular spot and
play Rufous Scrub-bird calls with the recorder they provided. I have
particular reasons for objecting to the practice, but reasoned that if I
didn't agree to do so, it would only mean that someone else would, and at
least if I were doing it I could be somewhat circumspect about it.
Arrived at the spot, I play a burst of song. It was answered from way down
the slope. Played some more; response from much nearer. More play-back;
nearer still, but still some distance away. Play-back; silence; Playback
and then a couple of calls from way down the slope again.
I imagined the bird thinking to himself, "Thought as much; just those
annoying humans again."
Cheers
Syd
PS And if you are thinking Syd's imagination is running away with him,
attributing thoughts to a bird, then you didn't hear Jane Goodall's talk to
the University of NSW, which formed Robyn William's ABC Radio Science Show
today - to be repeated Monday night (Jan. 15).
> From: Ricki Coughlan <>
> Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 11:41:29 +1100
> To: "Tony Russell" <>
> Cc: 'Birding-Aus' <>
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Bird call CD cost
>
> I've also had it anecdotally that the scrub-birds in one area of
> south-east Queensland don't call anymore due to the huge amount of
> playback which has been employed by birders who wanted to see the
> birds at all costs. I don't know if this is true or not and I'm not
> sure that a bird would abandon something as fundamental to its nature
> as calling, but if there is any truth to this, then it may be a huge
> conservation issue.
>
> Happy birding
> Ricki Coughlan
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Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
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