undyingking: (Default)
undyingking ([personal profile] undyingking) wrote2010-08-16 02:41 pm
Entry tags:

Coo blimey

If you're in the UK, or most of the rest of Europe I think, you're probably familiar with the woodpigeon. It looks much like an ordinary (winged-rat) pigeon, but rather bigger (which gives it the impression of having a small head) and with a white patch on its neck.

It also has a very characteristic and recognizable cooing call, which is what this post is about. It's usually five notes, on a pattern of short-long-long short-long. But what is it saying?

Where I grew up in Essex, we were told that the woodpigeon says "My poor toe, Betty". But I don't suppose for a moment that that's universal. What did woodpigeons say where you grew up, or where you live now (and where is/was that)? Or were you unaware of any particular phrase being implied?

(Sorry, people from further away – but maybe you have some equivalent chatty bird you can tell us about.)

[Poll #1606323]
ext_36163: (ohohsayshelpfulquail)

it's purest poetry

[identity profile] cleanskies.livejournal.com 2010-08-16 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Fuck you, you, you
No, fuck you, you
Fuck you, you, you
No, fuck you, you

Re: it's purest poetry

[identity profile] undyingking.livejournal.com 2010-08-17 08:21 am (UTC)(link)
I can tell you grew up amid the romance of the countryside.
ext_36163: (gooseherder)

Re: it's purest poetry

[identity profile] cleanskies.livejournal.com 2010-08-17 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
arr it were well bucolic