The birds are getting used to me. It took a week or so before the spotted catbirds (Ailuroedus melanotis) emerged from the forest, but now they sit in the trees in what passes for a front garden, and watch me while I work on the computer.Catbirds are unusual bowerbirds. They neither build bowers nor construct display grounds. But they make up for their lack of interest in matters architectural with their extraordinary calls, which range from melodious tinks to cat yowls fed through a synthesiser. I've tried imitating them, but they look at me with a mixture of confusion and disdain.
They also steal bananas.
