A Mockingbird |
In this, the bird is like a lyrebird. You often don't see a lyrebird but can tell it's there, because it runs through its repertoire at full volume.
I imagine this is due to sexual selection - the males attract mates according to the quality of their mimicry, and as with most woodland birds, territory is marked by the volume of space the caller(s) can fill with his/her/their calls. Since the lyrebird is a pretty big critter, they really go up to 11, to attract the chicky-babes.
It struck me as cool that this could be used to differentiate what is otherwise perfect mimicry ... a bit like the "Tell me about your mother" test in Bladerunner.
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