G'day Nathan & other bird observers
This looks like a real mixture of behaviour. Firstly the call.
Could it have been the magpies threat call, which HANZAB describes as
a croak (p 600)- (Ravens croak- though more the Australian than the
Little Raven). This is often given with the wings outstretched, but
is usually used towards con-specifics not humans. Maybe there was
another magpie that it was directing the behaviour towards. Their
alarm calls show quite a range, HANZAB describes some: as "trumpeting
squawk", harsh "ka", and "broad-band alarm calls" (p 607).
Then there are their distress calls - also broad-band (meaning a wide
range of frequencies (pitch) at the same time). Then there are
appeasement calls which are similar to the distress calls but shorter
and of lower pitch and usually associated with submissive postures .
This last one could sound like raven calls and have the wing
behaviour that you saw. What do you think.
Magpies have a wide variety of calls and associated behaviour, and
they can mimic so maybe that was part of your observation. Do you
know if the bird was young (more-likely then to be Appeasement calls)
or older (more likely that it could be mimicking)
Hope this is of some help.
Cheers
Mike
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Michael Tarburton
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