Cute Summer Visitor

Not many people actually get to see the White-throated Gerygone (Gerygone olivacea), but they might hear its beautiful warbling song. Gerygone (pronounced Jer-i-gon-ee) means ‘children of song’ which is highly suitable. Seymour Bushland Park is frequently visited by the Western Gerygone, (which is tiny and completely plain in colour) but the White-throated spreads further through the Highlands to Trawool, Yea Wetlands, and the forests.

Both gerygones have an amazing up-and-down call that carries quite a long way. Once I was out with a group of birders in Seymour Bushland Park and I witnessed an elderly lady whistle the call of the Western Gerygone whereupon one flew into view. Then she altered the whistle slightly to mimic the White-throated and one of them obligingly flew to a nearby tree and replied. It was an astonishing performance! I’m not sure I can tell the difference in the bush, as they both have a beautiful up-and-down clear whistle. Below is a wonderful recording by David Wakefield of the White-throated.

It is always a wonderful thing to hear a Gerygone, but it is plain lucky to get a good look at one.