More than 90,000 voters, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, have made their voices heard in the search for Australia’s favourite animal sound.
Birds perch high in the top 10, with voters expressing their affection for the songs of the magpie, kookaburra, lyrebird, whipbird, butcherbird, black cockatoo, boobook and the fairy wren.
University of the Sunshine Coast animal ecology senior lecturer and behavioural ecologist Dr Dominique Potvin said it is not surprising to see so many birds on the list.
“I’m just so intrigued that songbirds have to learn their vocalisations in order to communicate with each other. Only a handful of animals can do this, including ourselves,” Dr Potvin said.
“That gives us a special connection to songbirds, and makes me appreciate their acoustic intelligence.”
Also nestled in the top 10 are the ‘bonk bonk’ of the banjo frog and the summery ‘screeeeee’ of the cicada.
Australian Museum and UNSW conservation biologist specialising in amphibians Dr Jodi Rowley said Australian animals provide the soundtracks to our lives.
“From the dawn chorus that celebrates the sunrise, to the constant hum of cicadas in summer, to the cacophony of calling frogs after rains – they’re an integral part of our lives,” Dr Rowley said.
Some of the least favourite bird calls that have fallen off the original list of 28 animal sounds were the raven, koel, gang-gang cockatoo and the sulphur-crested cockatoo.
The frightening, growling or grumbling sounds of the brushtail possum, koala, Tasmanian devil and gliders fell on hard ears instead of winning hearts, and have dropped off the list of favourites.
The poll is open for the second and final round of voting, with the winner announced on Friday, August 18.
Details: www.abc.net.au/sounds.
