Bird ID request

I live in Central Africa where there are lots of African grey parrots flying about. I guessed that there was one freed African grey because I could hear a bird sing the song ditty from Close Encounters. [I live in the capital and many Americans have had these parrots at home - including the kiffa tribe.]

Well, now there are more and more of these birds. Is there a bird that naturally calls out the song ditty from Close Encounters or are these free flying African greys picking up on a tune that one of their comrades picked up during his captivity?

Well, I’ve worked quite a bit on birds in Africa, especially in Gabon, and and am familiar with a lot of the calls. While it’s hard to tell from your description, my first guess might be one of the African green cuckoos. Of course, it’s possible there could be a species in the Brazzaville/Kinshasha area that I’m not familiar with.

Where does the call come from? Is it from the trees, or from nearer the ground? Cuckoos have very loud far-carrying calls, but can be very hard to see.

You mean that actual five-note (I think?) tune that goes through everyone’s head in CE?Lol. They’re coming for us! First the birdbrains, then the monkeys, then us…

I really can’t help here but I think it’s great we have a bird ID thread based on vocalization rather than appearance…nice change of pace.

From above, ie: in the mango trees generally. Greys fly all over Kinshasa and they are great mimes: we had a African Grey while living in Bangui. The bird would drive us crazy by calling out family member names while sounding like mr kiffa or moi. He would also sound off like the microwave and drive everyone crazy.

And yes, it is that five note tune that the UFO mother ship would call out: that’s why I first thought it was an African grey who lived with folks who watched the movie all the time.

I believe it’s well accepted that wild birds capable of mimicry that hang out near civilization will occasionally mimic the man-made sounds they hear. I seem to recall the tale of an Australian lyrebird that could mimic a chainsaw.

Ok, I am lucky, then, to have Close Encounters of the Feathered Kind rather than Texas chainsaws to listen to while I drink my morning coffee. Thanks.

Our neighbor had a mockingbird in his yard that learned reville from his clock radio. Is it possible for these greys to be picking it up that way.