Clever copycat among crops
WHEN we think about birdmimics, the lyrebird of the Dandenongs comes to mind, but many species are at least minor mimics.
If you listen closely to the detested starling singing from a television antenna, you will pick up the calls of other species in its song.
One of the most accomplished mimics is a little grassland inhabitant called the singing bushlark.
Somewhat sparrow-like in general appearance, it is an inhabitant of open farmland across eastern and northern Australia.
A favourite haunt are the cereal crops that now stretch over large tracts, indeed an old name for it was “crop-lark”.
It also frequents grazing land and last week I was de- lighted to see one in open grassland at Corio.
In his classic book about Geelong’s birds, Charles Belcher describes how he listened to the bird mimicking others, which “it does to perfection”.
The calls of swallow, thornbill, fairy-wren and stubblequail are all part of its repertoire, he wrote.
The bushlark is generally considered a spring-summer migrant to our area, and it most certainly breeds here, although nests are very rarely found.
Whether it is a true migrant we are not completely sure, for during the winter it would keep a low profile. Wildlife information and questions can be sent to ppescott@ optusnet.com.au