Two thoughtful observers atop Byron Hall





The currawong is going off!



Allies

When I'm calling you

Bit of a commotion

Flight of the currawong

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.

Smile for the camera after your performance!

Just a song at twilight

when the lights are low

and the evening shadows

softly come and go

Nothing soft about these calls though, they sounded more aggressive than their usually more melodic call which to my ears sounds somewhat like: to-wup-to-wup-to-weeeeugh. This one cut right across the dense undergrowth of noises and sounds and multi species bird chatter. It started with two high pitched stacatto notes prefixing a cascade of lower notes - ta-ta-tewwwwwww, distinctive and penetrating. It waited intently for a callback of the same tune from another currawong, maybe its mate or children, before calling again. It skittered around somewhat comically while doing all this, possibly trying to get a visual sighting.

Currawongs are sharp, no doubt about it, I've always thought so. The touch of white, the black beak, the bright yellow eye of a creature that could exercise patience, which surely means intelligence. Style. The black magpie doesn't have a black beak, ha ha! And look!

They go absolutely nuts, both calling continuously and simultaneously. Two is a party!!

Like anorexic roosters?

An ecstatic, loony tunes big finish. Brilliant! (5:02 to 5:05pm)

Claws atop the Metro

6:31 am. Look at the claws on this currawong!

North by north west

6:40 am.

Well surprise surprise . .!! Who sir - me sir?

Watching too

5:25 - 5:26pm. A surprise drop in, also fascinated by the clouds!