Currawong Highway

[Julian Robinson <>]

Mid-afternoon on 12Sep2006 I saw a large flock of Currawongs at Wanniassa
Hills - at the time I said "at least 100" but there could
easily have been double that or more as they were moving so fast over
large areas some of which I couldn't see and many were sitting in
trees.  They were feasting on a swarm of airborne insects  -
awkwardly hawking.  Currawongs are pretty big to manoeuvre for small
insects and there were some spectacular aerobatics involved that I've not
seen by a Currawong before or since.  The insects never landed so I
don't know what they were.  I was surprised at the Currawong numbers
and wondered then where they came from.  They were present for at
least an hour until I left.

Wanniassa Hills is on the extended route described by Jack -
Chapman/Rivett > Mt Taylor > Wanniassa Hills and is not far from
Geoffrey's Narrabundah, but this was 2006 and not a morning/evening
transport meetup. Possibly this flock aggregated specifically for the
insects, organised by the long-distance communication mentioned.

Re roosting - one time last year at dusk the entire slopes of Mt Majura
seemed to be occupied by Currawongs - we didn't see any other species and
again there must have been at least 100 and possibly more.  I
thought they were settling in to roost although they were still moving
around when it got too dark and we left.

The attached photo is a composite but pretty well reflects a small
portion of the scene on the feast day.  What you can't see is many
birds on the ground and in trees, apparently resting.  There was
very little calling this day, almost none - probably too busy, or too
knackered.

Julian


At 08:19 PM 14/03/2008, you wrote:

Jack  -  I think the annual 15 min/200 birds phenomenon still occurs in some localities.  They seem to me to be opportunistic roosters (no political  implication intended).   Their preferred roosts are in tall eucs, either street trees or in reserves.  Rather than concentrate, they seem to maintain cohesion by their ability to communicate at long range.  If anyone knows of any, I would be interested in any studies of this subject, namely (forgive the alliteration) ?Communication and cooperation in currawong communities?.  g
 
From: Jack and Andrea Holland
Sent: Friday, 14 March 2008 5:23 PM
To: Geoffrey Dabb;
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Currawong Highway
 
Geoffrey, very interesting, do you know where they roost?
 
The reason I ask is that Pied Currawongs used to pass over my place in Chapman during the mid autumn to early spring period in large numbers, sometimes up to 200 birds and often over a short say 15 minute period.  They used to fly W very noisily towards Woden/Mt Taylor in the morning shortly after or even before sunrise, and return late afternoon, usually a bit more strung out.  One time I checked and found them coming out of the former pine forest at Narrabundah Hill as it was only just getting light.
 
Since the fires in January 2003 this phenomenon seems to have completely gone, indeed it had already diminished significantly for a few years before that when they seemed to take a more northerly path through Rivett.
 
The very noticeable roost flight of the Australian King Parrot to the same pine forest/Mt Stromlo, particularly in winter, also no longer occurs.
 
Jack Holland