In the past week I have noticed a new bird call - it starts quite early in the morning and lasts through the rest of the dawn chorus (such as it is in North Melbourne)
This call is chime-like, 5 notes descending - like an arpeggio. The call is repeated every 5-10 seconds or so. Any thoughts?
Might be a butcherbird. There are bird call recordings on this website in the birdfinder.
Thanks GregL. I had a good listen to the recordings here - no luck (although I did find that playing bird noises inside drives the cat crazy). I listened carefully again this morning - it is a very structured repetitive call similar in tone to the butcherbird - but it doesn't have the improv-like chortle. Definitely a repeated 5 note descending pattern.
I had a moment of anxiety when I thought perhaps it was the neighbours alarm clock - how embarrassing - but no, it's definitely a bird.
Glenda Joy
Hi GlendaJoy, I have also heard that five descending note call - not recently, but I definitely remember it, and on more than one occasion. I also feel that it is a butcherbird, don't know why they have that very different call, but it is a lovely sequence isn't it? Usually early in the morning when I have heard it too.
Meave
Hi Glenda, it might help to know, what the area you live in looks like? Suburban gardens, or is there some bush left?M-L
M-L
Hi again, have you listened to a "fan-tailed cuckoo" ? They do call all day though, not just at dawn. M-L
M-L
Thanks for your help guys. I just had a listen to the fan-tailed cuckoo - no luck. I'm in North Melbourne - there are a few very small clusters of gum trees around in nearby streets - but our backyards are all tiny. Royal Park is about 1.5K away and Flagstaff Gardens about 0.5K.
Glenda Joy
The recordings are only an aid, there is a bit of variation with bird calls. Butcherbird is probably the closest you will get unless you record the call and post it. Another bird with a descending call is the white-throated gerygone (warbler). It is a fairly common call.
Could it be a Chiming Wedgebill?
Hi there, I'm not sure you would have them in North Melbourne, looking at my books, they don't live down here! M-L
M-L
Wedgebills are birds of the interior.
The pallid cuckoo has an ascending call.
Thanks everyone. I will try and make a recording. I know that the Chiming Wedgebill isn't a goer but what a lovely call, it's probably the closest in sound so far. Although my call has one less note and the tempo is slower.
Glenda Joy