Bird Calls

[eggomaniac]

HER cousin in Krabi is palm tree farmer. His family's hobby is raising birds which they take to contests.

I don't think it's like rooster fighting? From what I could understand, in the translation, they put two birds together and the one that stops singing is the loser. Is this true?

Driving by, one can see fields with hundreds of these birds in cages.

-------------------

Also, what is the name of the bird which has the very loud and distinctive, 2 tone, whistle. It's at least as loud as a rooster or crow. HER inlaws thought it was quite cute that I called it the muh loow bird, as you can imagine it is whistling MUu loOW! descending then ascending

I can imitate the sound by whislting and my 5 year old can copy by hooting/screeching.

I am guessing they are type of pheasant or owl? They can be heard from several blocks away and I was never able to track down the location to see one.

A picture would be appreciated or a website with a picture.

Edited February 7, 2010 by eggomaniac

[eek]

Its a whats known as common Myna Bird eggo. Google will give you more info.

edit: well thats what i recon anyway..but i may be proven wrong by the experts

Edited February 7, 2010 by eek

[rfukata]

I've seen 'Bul Bul' birds on cage displays on Sundays at a school ground near my house

(also google to view these birds - I believe these birds are native species from India)

[thetefldon]

We regularly have bird singing contests down here in Prachuap. Not sure of the "rules" but the cages are all lined up and the men just appear to sit around listening. Apparently money changes hands and some birds will go for several thousand Baht. Locally they catch red whiskered Bulbuls and Black Crested Bulbul for breeding and competitions.

The loud bird you hear is probably a Coucal. Sort of looks like a Pheasant.

[Goshawk]

RE the wild bird - sounds to me like you are describing the highly vociferous Asian Koel .....?

They're a type of cuckoo.. quite hard to actually see one (they keep hidden mostly) but of course, their voice is one of the most recognisable 'natural sounds' in Thailand.

One of my fave's...

[desi]

One of my fave's...

The Asian Koel is one of my favs too. And maybe I'll get lucky enough to take a video one day too. There is a pair in my immediate area (I watch them quite close from my balcony) but when they catch my eye, they are silently gliding by. When they catch my ears, I hardly ever know where they are.

[phetaroi]

One of my fave's...

The Asian Koel is one of my favs too. And maybe I'll get lucky enough to take a video one day too. There is a pair in my immediate area (I watch them quite close from my balcony) but when they catch my eye, they are silently gliding by. When they catch my ears, I hardly ever know where they are.

We have at least one in the wooded moo ban behind our apartment. What an alarm clock!!! There are days he whoops all day long, and other days I hardly hear him. But, I only caught a brief glimpse of him once.

[desi]

One of my fave's...

The Asian Koel is one of my favs too. And maybe I'll get lucky enough to take a video one day too. There is a pair in my immediate area (I watch them quite close from my balcony) but when they catch my eye, they are silently gliding by. When they catch my ears, I hardly ever know where they are.

We have at least one in the wooded moo ban behind our apartment. What an alarm clock!!! There are days he whoops all day long, and other days I hardly hear him. But, I only caught a brief glimpse of him once.

Wow. I love the Asian Koel, but I'm not sure that I'd be too comfortable with an early morning wake up call of that magnitude. They are so loud!

My condo overlooks a compound loaded with trees, in an area full of trees, so this (pair?) floats around quite visibly. But now it is on my mind to catch them trilling on video. Wish me luck (it might take a few years)

I've had two nesting pairs of smaller birds on my balcony so far, and they've been a joy to watch. Who knew that Bangkok would be filled with more than sparrows!

[eggomaniac]

RE the wild bird - sounds to me like you are describing the highly vociferous Asian Koel .....?

They're a type of cuckoo.. quite hard to actually see one (they keep hidden mostly) but of course, their voice is one of the most recognisable 'natural sounds' in Thailand.

One of my fave's...

Thanks ever so much Gosh. I am going to tell my girl, "A very king and helpful person sent me this video." She is going to be so happy to see this when she gets back from kindergarten, as am I!

------------------------------------

If I ever end up living in Thailand, I am going to take Koel to those bird singing contests!

hmmm I think that is a whistle, and maybe one of the loudest bird whistles of all; but would an ornithologist classify as a caw, hoot, or screech?

Edited February 10, 2010 by eggomaniac

[eggomaniac]

We regularly have bird singing contests down here in Prachuap. Not sure of the "rules" but the cages are all lined up and the men just appear to sit around listening. Apparently money changes hands and some birds will go for several thousand Baht. Locally they catch red whiskered Bulbuls and Black Crested Bulbul for breeding and competitions.

The loud bird you hear is probably a Coucal. Sort of looks like a Pheasant.

It USED to be a physical contest, my guess is this probably still occurs. In the 'respecatble' singing contest best 'singer' is either determined by judges or when one of the birds stops singing?

http://www.thailandbird.com/index.php?lay=...049&Ntype=6

Quotes >

Between 1961 and 1963, bulbul owners used the birds in fighting contests. Owners would pitch them against each other and the fiercely territorial creatures would do battle in a small cage until one was left rocking in foetal position. These competitions were overtaken by the less bloody singing contests in 1972, and the bulbul became as well known as the Zebra Dove.

Mr Santana said: "By hanging two cages close together, the bulbul will belt out a song to protect its territory. While the owners may actually enjoy the song, they might not actually realise the birds are agitated."

The 1992 Wildlife Conservation Act included the Red-Whiskered Bulbul on its list of protected species. Under the law owners needed a Thai government document allowing them to keep the bird. Anyone not following this rule faced up to four years in prison. Moreover, owners needed to carry this document and be able to present it whenever they enter their bird in a competition.

But the law has not been translated into action.