Eastern Australian Whipbird

JodieDownUnder

Most days I walk on my property. This morning I took this short video of a Whipbird. You can’t see it but you can certainly hear it. So just a little about the Whipbird. Known as Eastern Australian Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) is an insectivorous passerine bird, native to the east coast of Australia. It’s whip crack song is a most familiar call in forests around where I live. Hope you enjoy.

https://youtu.be/SHXQTkgLlaM

MaryRowe

What a strange call--it does sound like a whip cracking. The photo makes me think of a cross between a magpie and a blue jay, but all three birds come from different families. Is this guy a smart prankster, thief and nest-robber like those two? I know hardly anything about Australian critters, so your posts are really interesting. Thanks.

JodieDownUnder

@MaryRowe they are shy, seldom seen. It’s the male that does the whip crack call and the female the other chirpy notes. It’s breeding season now. The female broods the eggs, the male helps feed and look after the chicks for a bit after they leave the nest. Usually 2 eggs in a stick type arrangement with softer material inside. An iconic bird call in eastern Australia, I’ll try to get a Kookaburra soon. What I’m really searching for atm is a koala. Breeding season is from now till November, so the boys are much more prominent now. I will certainly post that if I’m lucky enough.

Torey

Very unique sound. My mum was an avid bird watcher. She could tell many birds just from their voices and she would have loved to listen to this.

Looking forward to hearing the koalas.