Strange Cuckoo call

[Clive_S]

Hi,

This year our local cuckoo seems to be having problems with the ...koo part of its call. It sometimes manages a decent 'Cuc-koo' sound if responding to another males call but generally he sounds more like a Cuc-kee. He has been around all spring and still doesn't seem to have improved at all.

I've posted a link to a recording I've made of it here:

http://www.goldswift.co.uk/Sound/cuckoo.mp3

Is this bird a juvenile whose voice immature is 'breaking' or could it have chronic laryngitis from excessive calling ...!?

[Wild-Woman]

Wow! I hear what you mean, how odd. Perhaps he has some sort of deformity that warps the sound?

Or- perhaps he wants a biscuit?

[Clive_S]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Or- perhaps he wants a biscuit?

Crumbs .... coat please....

[caernerch]

I'm taking a bit of a stab at this one but I've heard similar effects with a capercallie. A male calling very late in the season was clapped out and definitely sounded hoarse (not bad for the horse of the woods). so theory one is that it had a sore throat. stab two is the old country saying "June she changes tune" (should be "he").

April come she will
May she will stay
June she changes tune
July she will fly


regards
caernerch

[Wild-Woman]

But the male cuckoo makes the cuck-oo! The female sort of bubbles!

Doh! Just saw the last words you wrote.

[pressld2]

Too many fags, I reckon!

Dave P.