While stationed at Melaleuca in the extreme SW of Tasmania for two weeks last
year My wife and I
regularly had our observation stints for Orange-bellied Parrots interrupted by
the local Grey Shrike
Thrushes which were also breeding at the time.
The feeding table set up for observing the parrots was of course attractive to
other birds (especially
some Tassie endemics) and the GST's were observed removing the larger seeds
(sunflower) and
breaking them on the spot or taking them away to bash on some harder object.
Other species seen
to do this were Forest Ravens (Corvus tasmanicus), and Starlings (Sturnus
vulgaris), although these
weren't observed breaking the husks off seeds. It wasn't apparent whether this
behaviour was learnt or
not. However, both members of the local pair displayed the behaviour.
Has anyone observed evidence of apparently learned (feeding) behaviour passed
on as a result of
observing conspecifics in other Australian birds?
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Martin O'Brien
Flora and Fauna Branch
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
GPO Box 41
East Melbourne, 3002
Victoria, AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 3 9412 4273
Fax: +61 3 9412 4586
e-mail
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