Birdline NSW Weekly Update comment for Matt Hinze about mimicry by the Honeyeaters.

["Philip Veerman" <>]

This contained the following: 

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of Eremaea Birds
Sent: Monday, 23 August 2010 1:31 AM
To: 
Subject: Birdline NSW Weekly Update

        
        Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Wauchope 
The single Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater I reported here a few months ago is
still here. It seems to be hanging around a Little Wattlebird! Today it
was doing some mimicry, and lo and behold it was mostly the Little
Wattlebird it was imitating. I wonder if this has ever been reported
before? 
Matt Hinze 

Yes it has been reported before (rarely) and is similar to
well-documented behaviour by the Regent Honeyeater. It could maybe
perhaps be the same behaviour. Although not nearly as consistent in
occurrence as is the Regent Honeyeater. 

See my 2 articles:

Veerman, P.A. (1994) 'Batesian acoustic mimicry by the Regent Honeyeater
Xanthomyza phrygia', Australian Bird Watcher 15: 250-259. 
Veerman, P.A. (1992) 'Vocal mimicry of larger honeyeaters by the Regent
Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia', Australian Bird Watcher 14: 180-189.
That cites a report of Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater imitating a Noisy
Friarbird and Crested Bellbird (Dow 1971, Sunbird 2: 72-74).

Philip Veerman
24 Castley Circuit
Kambah  ACT  2902
 
02 - 62314041

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