Both the Blue Eared Barbet bird and Tokay Gecko Lizards were plentiful in the jungles of Vietnam during the war; each called out to mates during the still of night, keeping soldiers company during their nightly watches. Their croaks and whistles are well known, however, both creatures are better known by another name. I also included sound bites to give you an idea of the sounds we heard in the jungles.
Quite honestly, I thought the bird was actually a frog because of its deep mating call and was surprised to discover otherwise – never saw either of them in person. There have been rare moments when both were nearby and calling out, seeming as if they were responding to one another. When that happened, it was always hilarious! Ladies and gents, let me introduce you to the Fu-k You Lizard and the Re-up Bird. I’ll try to give you an idea of what they sound like:
Again, I thought the bird was always a frog and most of us have heard them croak during the night. This bird would call out like a frog in a deeper baritone sound: REEEE-UP…REEEE-UP…REEEE-UP. Now the lizard’s call is almost like taking a breath and exhaling…consider an inverted “V” with the first syllable going upward in pitch then cresting the top point and coming back down for the second syllable: FAAA-CUE…FAAA-CUE
Most of the time, only one or the other would entertain us during the night, but when together, soldiers found it amusing and sometimes joined them in the banter, but only when we were in the rear areas! It was perceived as a military joke about re-enlisting.
REEEE-UP…FAAAA-CUE………..REEE-UP…FAAAA-CUE!
When listening to this clip, you’ll experience the same daytime sounds soldiers heard while patrolling through the dark, wet, bug infested jungles of Vietnam.
Here’s what it sounds like spending the night in the jungle…close your eyes and listen. It’s pitch black and you can’t see your hand in front of your face. When it suddenly got quiet…then it was time to worry!
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I remember reading about the “swearing” lizard in your book. You’re right, it DOES sound like it’s saying that. 🙂
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I don’t remember the nights being quite that noisy in the Ashau. I do remember the f**k you lizard though. One other remembered thing was when I was on watch and a large tree chose that time to crash to the ground. It was very dark and I didn’t see it but it shook the ground.
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Sounds of the jungle creatures were kind of an alert to us at night should they go silent.
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The crickets, always the crickets. They served as an early warning signal. When they shut up, one knew something was afoot and it wasn’t going to be pleasant. Somewhere I’ve a pic of a katydid in my hand, that was as long as my hand. Critters of exceptional size greeted you to their homes and they were aplenty. Shudder.
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Hi, pdogg — I’m forwarding this to some Vietnam vets who are having a get together in a few weeks. They keep saying something about PhuBai. I think they’ll all enjoy this.
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Thank you! I’m a novelist working on a chapter for my character who is a soldier in Vietnam, and this post/site is amazing. Thank you for sharing this and these memories.
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If no sounds or suddenly stopped that was a Sign all hell is gonna break it loose right
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correct
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correct
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thank,s for the memory,s
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I loved the sounds at night even though they were loud at times. As long as you you could hear them you were usually save, but if they stopped it was possiable someone was outside your NDP. Someone or something for sure. Not a good thing Brother.
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Thanks! This is a terrific post.
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