Friday, 23 October 2009
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Raven cameo
I thought this was a magpie but seems it might be a Australian Raven, or a crow, Corvus coronoides. But not a magpie.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Bird wars revealed
The local mob of cockatoos flies madly around at full screech on a regular basis, reliably and predictably disturbed by forces unknown to me till now. Down in Victoria St I always heard them, but now I know exactly what it's all about.
The cockatoos are wont to perch up on high rise window ledges and balconies and gnaw at anything around them, especially if there is wood or plastic. But by what seems to be a very ironic turn of nature, it seems that the currawongs like nothing better to stir the cockatoos, dive bombing them in the air and clawing back, literally, any balcony and window spots occupied by cockies. Which is a plus for the building, since currawongs don't damage buildings.
But they go further. They are clearly on the intelligent side of the bird family. Although they don't sit or fly around in a big mob as do parrots, they are very tight with each other and communicate over long distances by their singing. Sulphur crested cockatoos, for all their clownishness and plumage charisma, are no match for them, banging around each other like the 30 stooges. Currawongs are compact, steely nerved birds, long of beak and sharp of eye, and are excellent at brinksmanship. I can't photograph this yet, need a better camera, but on the buildings that are a huge attraction for cockatoos, the currawongs string themselves out to maximise their occupation of the territory. This organised campaign drives the cockies stark raving nuts. One on one the cockatoo would run over the curra, but the curras form small teams to wrest the spot, then one is left to occupy it and the others go off to hassle another cockatoo.
The action happens so very fast, but I was quick enough to get a glimpse of some interaction atop the Metro.
The cockatoos are wont to perch up on high rise window ledges and balconies and gnaw at anything around them, especially if there is wood or plastic. But by what seems to be a very ironic turn of nature, it seems that the currawongs like nothing better to stir the cockatoos, dive bombing them in the air and clawing back, literally, any balcony and window spots occupied by cockies. Which is a plus for the building, since currawongs don't damage buildings.
But they go further. They are clearly on the intelligent side of the bird family. Although they don't sit or fly around in a big mob as do parrots, they are very tight with each other and communicate over long distances by their singing. Sulphur crested cockatoos, for all their clownishness and plumage charisma, are no match for them, banging around each other like the 30 stooges. Currawongs are compact, steely nerved birds, long of beak and sharp of eye, and are excellent at brinksmanship. I can't photograph this yet, need a better camera, but on the buildings that are a huge attraction for cockatoos, the currawongs string themselves out to maximise their occupation of the territory. This organised campaign drives the cockies stark raving nuts. One on one the cockatoo would run over the curra, but the curras form small teams to wrest the spot, then one is left to occupy it and the others go off to hassle another cockatoo.
The action happens so very fast, but I was quick enough to get a glimpse of some interaction atop the Metro.
Smile for the camera after your performance!
Monday, 5 October 2009
Friday, 2 October 2009
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