couchtripper

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Excellent eh?

That's crazy!!!!

theres a program thats been on bbc3 or 4 about bird song, theres this incredible bird in australia i think it was, it can copy pretty much any sound it hears - it was copying the camera clicks and noises of the film crew, chainsaws, car alarms, other birds and animals in the forest etc - blew my mind, i'd never seen anything like it

there was this group of scientists that were breeding another type of bird, had been for 11 years, to see how they develop and learn - really interesting stuff, like humans and speech birds have a limited time in which they can learn and develop bird song.

they were slowing down recordings of certain bird songs, and they did some experiment with a certain bird where they played music and this type of bird would join in! birds have two voice boxes as well!

fascinating stuff

just found the program, its on bbc4 - they usually repeat the stuff on 4

Why Birds Sing

Inspired by musician and eco-philosopher David Rothenberg's book of the same title, a documentary which explores the intriguing, charming, complex and often conflicting theories on why birds sing like they do and why humans are so attracted to the sound. Featuring contributions from musicians Laurie Anderson, Jarvis Cocker and Beth Orton, analysis from birdsong scientists, a literary guide to birdsong in poetry, a birdsong-themed art 'happening' and a musical duet featuring humans and birds.

luke wrote:fascinating stuff

I quite agree.

Nice find, faceless.

I seem to remember when this aired, we were pretty impressed with Einstein. Pretty talented bird.

luke wrote:theres a program thats been on bbc3 or 4 about bird song, theres this incredible bird in australia i think it was, it can copy pretty much any sound it hears - it was copying the camera clicks and noises of the film crew, chainsaws, car alarms, other birds and animals in the forest etc - blew my mind, i'd never seen anything like it

Here you go...

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By the way, Einstein (the parrot) is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first time I saw Einstein I feel in love. He is an amazing African Grey! The other bird is amazing. Anyone know what kind it is?

the australian lyre bird girldorksrule, thats the one i was on about the does any sound, camera clicks, car alarms, chainsaws etc - clever bird the chainsaw is incredible! hes like that sound effects guy off police academy

luke wrote:the australian lyre bird girldorksrule, thats the one i was on about the does any sound, camera clicks, car alarms, chainsaws etc - clever bird the chainsaw is incredible! hes like that sound effects guy off police academy

Err, it's all in the video I just posted. Did anyone notice?

Luther Blissett wrote:Err, it's all in the video I just posted. Did anyone notice?

yeah, thats how i knew what it was called - before that it was just the incredible bird from australia

Simply amazing...What an interesting video. Thanks, Luther!

Good grief...thanks for posting both of these - absolutely fascinating.

OK, I no longer feel as though I'm an utterly ignored floating voice in a callous void. I am happy again. Dogs made of cats.

I watched the video but obviously missed the name which is why I asked LOL. Would be brilliant to have them mimic human voice roaming aound the wild. Although if I was in the wild and heard the chainsaw I'm pretty sure I'd freak out LOL

Thank you both for posting. Excellent.