To most eastern-dwelling Australians, this is the sound of the Australian bush. The loud whip crack is one of the most commonly recognised eastern bird calls. Not all Australians, however, would realise that the sound is often a cleverly synchronised combination of the male giving the first whip crack sound, instantly followed by the female’s ‘chew-chew’ response. These secretive birds usually search for insects and nest close to the ground.
(Illustration by Jane Thompson)
Psophodes olivaceus 25 - 30cm
More brilliant birds . . .
Yellow-throated scrubwren – Eastern yellow robin – Rufous fantail – Golden whistler – Eastern whipbird – Noisy pitta – Regent bowerbird – Emerald dove – Rose-crowned fruit dove – Green catbird – Paradise riflebird – Wompoo fruit-dove
