Nesting Magpie-larks

[Chris Hankel <>]

When we were on a camping trip on Katarapko Creek in the River Murray 
National Park last October , a Kookaburra raided the nest of a very 
diligent Magpie-Lark mother while she was collecting food. She delighted 
in bringing first one, and then the other two (both at once) over to a 
branch right by my camper and disposing of them by beating them on the 
branch and then tearing them apart, as kookaburras do!
The saddest part was watching the poor mother return to the nest with 
food and foraging through the nest trying to find her young.
The same kookaburra also took young from  a Noisy Miner's nest.
We presumed the she must have been feeding young too as she also pinched 
a lot of food from us.
You're right Neville - it is a very cruel world.

Chris Hankel 

Administrative Assistant 

Bachelor of Arts Office

Flinders University 

GPO Box 2100

ADELAIDE  SA  5001



Phone 08 8201 2519

Fax 08 8201 3241 


CRICOS Registered Provider: Flinders University

CRICOS Provider Number:  00114A





Cas and Lisa Liber wrote:
> Wow, a blue faced honeyeater taking young? Has that been recorded before as
> I have never heard of it... 
> Cas
> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
>  On Behalf Of Neville Schrader
> Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 3:53 PM
> To: Birding Aus
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nesting Magpie-larks
>
>  
>
>  Over the last twenty four months I've observed a pair of Magpie-larks that
> have taken up residence in my backyard.  The first nest they constructed was
> a failure  (2007), but twelve months later they rebuilt it adding another
> layer on the top of the old nest.  Since then they have laid 6 clutches all
> par one failures.
>
>  
>
>  The first naked young were taken by a Blue-faced honeyeater. They also
> raided the White-plumed honeyeater's nest and took the young. It's a cruel
> world.
>
>  
>
>  The second lot of young were taken by Australian Ravens.
>
>  
>
> The third I think by Pied Currawong as they were near the nest and looked
> guilty.
>
>  
>
> The fourth attempt was again taken by Australian Ravens despite my
> objection.
>
>  
>
> The fifth clutch was again taken by blue-faced honeyeater's.
>
>  
>
> The pair then decided to build a new nest in an adjoining tree, this time
> they raised two young which successfully fledged and may live to an old age
> if they stop chasing grasshopper on the Newell Highway.
>
>  
>
> Neville Schrader OAM
>
> 2 Elizabeth St.
>
> Parkes NSW 2870
>
> 33'05  148'15
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
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