The Australian Eastern Whipbird is rarely seen but often heard. Its distinctive call sounds very much like the whip-crack of the Australian stockman (or American cowboy) as it resonates through the dense bush-land in much of the moist forests in Eastern Australia. The unusual feature of this call is that it is often performed by two birds calling in unison, with one bird contributing the first part of the call and another giving the second part. This so-called ‘antiphonal’ calling involves great co-ordination between the two birds to give the call its familiar whip-crack sound.
Very nice job. Your patience was rewarded. I applaud your perseverance and fine execution here.

Established pairs of these small birds defend permanent territories of about 5-10 hectares where they, with their young of that year, feed actively in the litter on the forest floor. They fly/hop with their tail fanned, turning over leaf litter with their powerful feet to feed on a wide range of insects, larvae and small crustaceans. They will search through shrubberies & fallen logs all the while calling to each other.

They are extraordinarily difficult to photograph as they live in very subdued light and are active only during the early dawn and late afternoon. I spent many hours patiently waiting in a hide for the right moment when this single Whipbird miraculously moved into a small patch of sunlight as if on cue. I was very lucky.

The challenge is too now photograph a pair together – I’ll get back to you on that one!! :|

Warren

The Australian Eastern Whipbird is rarely seen but often heard. Its distinctive call sounds very much like the whip-crack of the Australian stockman (or American cowboy) as it resonates through the dense bush-land in much of the moist forests in Eastern Australia. The unusual feature of this call is that it is often performed by two birds calling in unison, with one bird contributing the first part of the call and another giving the second part. This so-called ‘antiphonal’ calling involves great co-ordination between the two birds to give the call its familiar whip-crack sound.

Established pairs of these small birds defend permanent territories of about 5-10 hectares where they, with their young of that year, feed actively in the litter on the forest floor. They fly/hop with their tail fanned, turning over leaf litter with their powerful feet to feed on a wide range of insects, larvae and small crustaceans. They will search through shrubberies & fallen logs all the while calling to each other.

They are extraordinarily difficult to photograph as they live in very subdued light and are active only during the early dawn and late afternoon. I spent many hours patiently waiting in a hide for the right moment when this single Whipbird miraculously moved into a small patch of sunlight as if on cue. I was very lucky.

The challenge is too now photograph a pair together – I’ll get back to you on that one!! :|

Warren