birding-aus

Willy wagtail and kookaburra

To: "Birding-aus" <>
Subject: Willy wagtail and kookaburra
From: "Tracey Newcombe" <>
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:07:29 +1000
Hi birders,
This morning in my yard, a kookaburra was being harassed by a very irate
Willy Wagtail. Not very unusual at this time of year, I'm sure, but the
wagtail was actually perched on the kookaburra's back, and was pecking it.
The wagtail had its wings folded, not flapping, and sat for over thirty
seconds pecking away at the bigger bird, while the kookaburra studiously
ignored it. The wagtail, getting more upset all the time, then buzzed around
the kookaburra's head, calling loudly, and then perched on the kooka's head,
and again began pecking. It then made one more circuit around the other
bird, before landing once again on it's back. Finally, the kookaburra
laughed, then lazily took off to a nearby tree, with the wagtail in hot
pursuit. Then the little wagtail came back to it's original tree and sat
preening itself and looking very smug. I've seen plenty of small birds
having a go at larger ones in defence of nest or territory, but I have never
seen one actually perch on another bird.
Cheers

Tracey Newcombe, Tomerong NSW



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