HI,I live near Tamborine Mountain in Qld. We have a bird that visits our yard we have nicknamed "The Bomb Bird" for the very reason it sounds like a bomb falling from a plane.
Anyone have any ideas what this maybe?
I have heard it regularly for years but have never been able to see it until today. There were a few birds in the tree but I think the one making this call was approx 10-15cm yellow breast with short tail. This is all I could make out as the sun was in my eyes!
Cheers Rob
When you said that it sounds like "a bomb falling from a plane", did you mean the sort of descending whistle noise they make?
The fan-tailed cuckoo makes a similar sort of sound but your physical description of the bird.
Actually, the White Throated Gerygone also sounds similar and is more fitting with your description so it may be it.
Taz
Sounds a lot like the descending whistling calls of the Gerygone robbo mentioned.
Cheers, Owen.
I mean Taz LOL sorry.
Cheers, Owen.
Thats it Guys! Thankyou very much!
White Throated Gerygone
I googled it and found its call matches!
We have wondered for years, so happy to know what it is now!
Here is a link for its call
http://xeno-canto.org/australasia/recording.php?XC=33176
Cheers, Robbo :) I know that feeling. I felt the same when I realised the cry of the Eastern Koel because it haunted me throughout my childhood.
You are lucky to be having frequent visits of such a sweet bird :)
Taz
Hi there. I know this is an old thread but I'm hoping someone will see it and be able to help me.
I too live on Tamborine Mountain and we also have a bird we nickname "The Bomb Drop Bird". However - it is not the same bomb drop as yours! Ours is more of a simple descending whistle - kind of like it's imitating a human imitating a bomb drop by whistling, if that makes any sense? I've googled the sound but no luck. I'd try and record it but it happens only a few times a day and it's sporadic.
Anyone? :)
Could it be a Horsefield's Bronze-Cuckoo, ezzwheadon?
It's kind of close? But not quite. My husband calls it the Bomb Drop bird. I call it the Slide Whistle bird - because to me it sounds more like the descending "drop" sound of a slide whistle - kind of like a clown would have at a circus? Argh - I'm terrible at describing.
It's a *little* like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf-5rxSjn20 (but obviously in bird song).
What about a Sooty Owl, right habitat and is descibed as having a call," mellow whistle like a falling bomb"?
Two references:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10821
http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/australia/austour-sept2001/austour-sept2001.htm
and another one here (go to page 15)...
file:///M:/Downloads/Jan2007_LfWnewletter_lowres%20(2).pdf
Samford Valley Qld.
Wow - there seem to be a lot of birds out there with that bomb-falling whistle. No, not quite. This is very owl-like. Ours is almost comical - like the slide whistle. Damnit, I think I'm going to have to try and get a recording of it. Hahaha. This is doing my head in!
a pic would be even better
Peter
Wouldn't it just! I'd love to know what it even looks like! It never sings when we're outside and it only sings about 4-5 times throughout the entire day. I'll keep my eyes out. :)
Use your smartphone and record it. It's surprising how well the sounds are picked up. The slide whistle sounds like a Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo.
What's the frequency of the whistles? One per second? One every two seconds? Etc?
The trouble is, it's so sporadic. We only hear it about 4 times a day - we never know when - and it's always at random times - it's hard to pinpoint a time to hit record on my phone. I have an SD card recorder, I think I'm going to have to fire it up and leave it running. :)
It's just one solitary whistle every time. Just out of nowhere - this one descending slide whistle sound. And then nothing, for hours.
I've already checked out the Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo - it's too high pitched and it's the wrong timbre. Ours is slightly lower and slower, if that makes sense. I'll try and get a recording of it today. :)
Sounds like a currawong.
Your latest information indicates that it's not a Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo as you've suggested. That species' call is nearly always repetitive.
What about a Satin Bowerbird?
They do make a loud single slide whistle sound at random times.
I first heard them at the Bunya Mountains and wondered what the heck it was.
I was told the Satin Bowerbird and have since witnessed it for myself.
Problem is I haven't heard a recording of it, just of their other sounds.
I will have a look tonight and see if I can locate the sound.
Cheers Devster
Oh and the White Throated Gerygone sound I have heard refered to as the falling leaf which I think is very fitting.
You. Are. A. GENIUS!!!! That's the one!
For those interested in what I was hearing - check out: http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Ptilonorhynchus-violaceus (the track from Barren Grounds, NSW that's 0:04 is absolutely SPOT ON).
Thank you so so much!
Glad I could help