Mark Cocker
Finding Wonder in the Living World
The curlew that is also a chicken, that’s really a blackbird
I am currently captivated by the story of mimicry among birds, primarily redstarts. It is a remarkable aspect of birdsong and here below is a short recording of the blackbird in our garden that does a wonderful imitaiton of a culrew and then a chicken, roughly at 6 seconds and 15 seconds. I welcome any help with these more familiar birds that mimic their neighbours. If you have any experience of mimicry among blackbirds, song thrushes, and starlings, I would absolutely love to hear from you. There’s a contact button here. Please, please make sure you transcribe your email accurately. About 1/10 people don’t
Mark Cocker 
About 20 years ago, we were outside Loch Garten RSPB, waiting for it to open, when I heard a crested tit trill-purring away. Couldn’t see it immediately, but it was obviously nearby. Spent the best part of an hour trying to glimpse it. Eventually it showed. It was a chaffinch, the first time that I have ever heard mimicry from this species.
LikeLike
Thank you Gordon v interesting. Chaffinch and crested tit both frequently mimicked by redstart but, as you say, I’ve never heard mimicry by chaffinch. However Richard Baines rang me last week from Berlin where the chaffs were tagging a greatspot’s chik to the end of each song. So not unknown. 😀
LikeLike