h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A blackbird in my garden has started immitating a car alarm and incorporated it into his song which he always repeats at the same point. I think I have now heard other birds copying him, but they seem to have modified the call somewhat. Is this common behaviour? Will the bird pass on its new variation to its young? Am I doomed to hear the sound of (someone else's) car alarm for the next umpteen years?

Yes. It's common for many birds to modify their song to incorporate something that's caught their attention. I've not come across car alarm song before but I did see a lovely clip on the TV of a spectularly imitative bird that had picked up the sound of a camera shutter and wind-on motor after having heard too many cameras snapping.

Starlings are incredible mimics. Telephones seem to be commen around where we are (and the car alarm etc.) Apparently they can do voices too - all from that we rat of the sky
BCNU - Crescent

The magpies at Sydney Parade DART station do some pretty good mobile phone rings - I've even seen sleepy commuters checking to see if its them thats ringing .

There's a bird in my garden - never quite worked out what it is - who does next door's telephone perfectly. Confused the neighbour for a long time.