Leslie Massey
Australia is home to a diverse range of bird species, each with its own unique call and sound. One particular sound that has sparked curiosity is the distinctive whoop-whoop call. Several bird species in Australia have been known to produce similar sounds, including the Wonga Pigeon, the Pheasant Coucal, and even the Eastern Whipbird with its whip-crack song. These birds, along with others like the warbling magpie, crimson rosella, and grey shrike-thrush, contribute to the rich avian soundscape of Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Eastern whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) |
| Other common names | White-cheeked crow (Corvus olivaceus), coachwhip flycatcher (Muscicapa crepitans), coachwhip bird, stockwhip bird |
| Colour | Dark olive-green and black with a distinctive white cheek patch and a crest |
| Habitat | Forests of eastern Australia |
| Diet | Insectivorous |
| Aboriginal name | Djou |
| Alternative | Wonga Pigeon |
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What You'll Learn
The Pheasant Coucal: a long, low whoop whoop whoop call
The Pheasant Coucal, a large, crow-like bird, is native to Australia and known for its distinctive "whoop whoop whoop" call. This call is described as a long, low sound, and it is one of the ways the Pheasant Coucal communicates. The call can be heard during the day and at night, and it is used to assert territory, attract a mate, deter predators, and make alarm calls.
The Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus) is a member of the cuckoo family and is found in Texas, Queensland, Australia. It has a long, dark brown body and a long tail, with a black head, a yellow bill, and red eyes. The Pheasant Coucal is an elusive bird that prefers to stay hidden in dense vegetation, so it is often heard but not seen.
The "whoop whoop whoop" call of the Pheasant Coucal is a unique and memorable sound that has captured the interest of many Australians. While the bird may be difficult to spot, its distinct call helps identify its presence in an area.
Some people have mistaken the Pheasant Coucal's call for that of a Wonga Pigeon, which is another Australian bird. However, the Pheasant Coucal's longer and lower call is a distinguishing factor. Additionally, the Wonga Pigeon is found in the wonga grass plains of southern Queensland and New South Wales, while the Pheasant Coucal has a more extensive range across northern and eastern Australia.
The Pheasant Coucal's call is an integral part of its behaviour and communication. Its long, low "whoop whoop whoop" sound is a notable characteristic that contributes to the bird's presence and appeal in Australian backyards and natural habitats.
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Wonga Pigeon: a cool little bird
The Wonga Pigeon, or Wonga Wonga, is a cool little bird native to the east coast of Australia, from southeastern Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria. It is a large, plump, ground-dwelling pigeon with a small head, short, broad wings, and a long tail. Its legs are red, and its eyes are a dark red-brown with a pink eye ring and black lores (the area between the bill and eye). The bill, feet, and legs are also deep pink to red.
Wonga Pigeons are often found in dense coastal forests, rainforests, and scrubs, as well as clearings near forests, such as picnic areas, walking tracks, carparks, roadsides, and gardens with bird feeders. They are shy and elusive birds, more often heard than seen, and produce explosive wing claps when disturbed. Their diet consists of fruit, berries, seeds from native and introduced plants, and the occasional insect.
The call of the Wonga Pigeon is a distinctive, loud, high-pitched 'whoop whoop' or 'coo' repeated every second or so for long periods of time. These calls can be heard up to 2 kilometres away and are used by the pigeons to communicate with each other and mark their territory. When displaying mating behaviour, males will bow with a soft, trilling coo.
Wonga Pigeons are monogamous, with breeding pairs defending the area around their nest, which is built high off the ground in large trees. The nest is a saucer-shaped platform made of twigs, sticks, and other soft plant materials. Sometimes, they will use abandoned nests from other bird species, such as Topknot Pigeons or Tawny Frogmouths. Both sexes incubate the eggs and feed the young.
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Eastern Whipbird: a whip-crack song
The Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) is an insectivorous passerine bird native to the east coast of Australia. The bird is known for its distinctive whip-crack song, which is a familiar sound in the forests of eastern Australia. Heard much more often than seen, the Eastern Whipbird has a dark olive-green and black plumage with a distinctive white cheek patch and a crest. The male and female birds are similar in appearance. The bird's specific name, "olivaceus", is derived from its olive coloration.
The Eastern Whipbird's song is so distinctive that it has earned the bird the common names of "coachwhip bird" or "stockwhip bird". The onomatopoeic name "whipbird" also reflects this unique whip-like call. John Gould recorded the Aboriginal term "Djou" from the Hunter Region of New South Wales, which may also refer to this bird.
The Eastern Whipbird was first described by John Latham in 1801, who mistakenly identified it as two separate species from early colonial illustrations: the white-cheeked crow (Corvus olivaceus) and the coachwhip flycatcher (Muscicapa crepitans). However, it was later placed in the new genus Psophodes by Nicholas Aylward Vigors and Thomas Horsfield, derived from the Greek "psophōdes/ψοφωδης", meaning "noisy".
While the Eastern Whipbird is known for its whip-like song, another Australian bird with a similar "whoop-whoop" call is the Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus). This bird has a long, low "whoop whoop whoop" call and is found in Queensland, Australia.
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Warbling Magpie: a brainy bird that remembers people's faces
While I could not find specific information about an Australian bird that makes a "whoop whoop" sound, the Wonga Pigeon was suggested as a possibility.
Now, here is the information on the Warbling Magpie:
Magpies are incredibly intelligent birds, and one of their most fascinating abilities is their capacity to recognise and remember individual human faces for many years. They can distinguish between people who pose a risk and those who are friendly, and they will recall positive and negative encounters with specific individuals. This behaviour is driven by risk assessment, as magpies identify their enemies and ensure they stay away from their breeding territories. Magpies have long memories, and their responses to humans are largely influenced by their past experiences.
Magpies are known to form strong bonds with their own kind, and they exhibit cooperative behaviour. Interestingly, they can also develop cross-species friendships with humans. While some birds may become tame enough to take food from a person's hand, magpies have been observed to forge deeper connections. They may choose to display their young to people they trust and even form lasting relationships without depending on humans for food or shelter.
In Australia, where magpies are iconic, some residents have formed close relationships with these birds. By avoiding confrontation, helping magpies in need, and offering food, people have created positive associations with these birds, reducing the likelihood of attacks. Magpies have been observed to remember individuals who have shown kindness, and they may even showcase their young to trusted people without displaying warning behaviours.
The intelligence of magpies extends beyond social interactions. They are known for their cleanliness, often spending time preening themselves and enjoying the sun. They have also been observed engaging in unique behaviours, such as sunbathing to disturb parasites underneath their feathers. This behaviour highlights their problem-solving abilities and adaptability.
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Crimson Rosella: a pleasant, metallic whistle
The Crimson Rosella, a medium-sized parrot, is a stunningly colourful bird with a combination of red, blue, black, and cream colouring. Its wings and tail feathers are a mix of light and dark blue, with some white edges, and its back has black feathers with red edges. The characteristic blue cheeks of the Crimson Rosella distinguish it from male king parrots, and its beak is a cream colour. Crimson Rosellas are found in south-eastern Australia and north-east along the coastal Queensland region, inhabiting tall eucalypt forests, woodlands, and wet sclerophyll forests. They prefer to live within or close to these habitats and visit leafy parks and gardens when food is available.
Crimson Rosellas have a range of calls, the most common being a two-syllabled 'cussik-cussik'. They also have harsh screeches and metallic whistles, described as enchanting and melodious. Their whistles are high-pitched and can be learned, enabling them to mimic whistled tunes. When alarmed, their whistle turns into a shrill call. Additionally, they make gentle, musical, or metallic chattering sounds when in the company of other Crimson Rosellas.
These parrots are not known for being cuddly or enjoying petting like other parrots, but they can make great aviary companions, especially for children who are well-behaved around birds. While they are not great talkers, Crimson Rosellas can mimic some words and repeat them. They are also monogamous, and during the breeding season, adult birds will only forage with their mates.
Crimson Rosellas are mostly seed eaters, preferring the seeds of eucalyptus trees, but they also consume blossoms, fruits, and some insects. They are skilled at using their two opposable toes on each foot to hold small food items and climb or cling to branches. These birds breed from September to January, laying four to eight small creamy white eggs in a hollow high up in a tall eucalyptus tree.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pheasant Coucal makes a "whoop whoop whoop" call. It is also known as the "coachwhip" or "stockwhip" bird.
The Wonga Pigeon is another Australian bird that is known to make a similar "whoop whoop" sound.
Pheasant Coucals (Centropus phasianinus) are commonly found in Queensland, Australia.
Pheasant Coucals are long-tailed, crow-like birds with a brown body, a black head, and a long, pale grey bill.
Pheasant Coucals are typically heard during the day, but their call can sometimes be heard at night as well.
