The eastern whipbird is famous for its explosive whip-crack call, made by the male snapping his song so loudly it echoes through the bush — often followed by the female’s sharp “choo-choo.” Shy and rarely seen, these olive-green birds prefer dense undergrowth along the east coast, where they hop and skulk rather than fly, feeding on insects and small invertebrates in leaf litter. While not currently endangered, they rely on healthy, unfragmented bushland, and clearing or thinning of understorey can quickly push them out. Fun fact: many Aussies know the sound of the whipbird long before they ever see the bird itself.