Water birds are easy to see: they sail around out there, in or over the open water. Bush birds are more difficult to track down: trees are often high, have lots of leaves for camouflage and the wind plays havoc. But if you can recognise the bird’s call, you will know what is up there.
This summer I have been learning and hearing the calls of two exciting birds: Sacred Kingfisher and Mistletoebird. Sure, if you go to Broome, Yarrawonga or the Brisbane Ranges you will see lots of kingfishers and Mistletoebirds. But if you learn the calls, you will find both these birds are frequently out and about in summer at Coogoorah Park and Distillery Creek.
Sacred Kingfisher
The call of the kingfisher is a strident repetition of 3-7 staccato notes: kek-kek-kek-kek. You can listen to it here.
The call of the Mistletoebird is a soft zitta-zitta-zitta-zitta-zit. You can listen to it here.
Mistletoebird
It’s helpful to familiarise yourself with the calls if you have a Bird app.
James Orton