Our walk to work this morning Nicole and I noticed that the 2 Pied
Currawongs (reported to bird-line on Tuesday) have moved to the area
behind the Royal Childrens Hospital in Royal Park (Melb). This has
been Collared Sparrowhawk "turf" over the past 18 months (since we
first noticed the CSH's) and it soon became apparent that the Pied
Currawong's were unwelcome visitors. We watched for about 10 minutes
whilst three Collared Sparrowhawks (we had previously only seen 2
CSH's in this spot) chased and were chased one of the Currawongs.
Just as we were leaving the second Pied Currawong flew into the gums
from a scrubby patch of trees near by.
We've seen the CSH's taking on Magpies in the past, and have wondered
if they were defending territory or actively hunting the Magpies. In
the case of the Magpies the pursuit was distinctly one sided. The
Currawong was harassing the CSH's as much as it was being harassed,
so I'm guessing that this is purely territorial. I've had a quick
look in Stephen Debus' "Birds of Prey" and can't find any mention of
CSH territorial behaviour. HANZAB is apparently similarly unhelpful
on this aspect of their behaviour. I was wondering if any one knew of
a source that discusses CSH territorial behaviour or could shed some
light?
cheers
Paul
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