White Winged Chough nest building at ANBG

[Susanne Gardiner <>]

Hi Paul

 

WWChoughs and Apostlebirds are usually grouped together as "Australian Mud-Nesters".

Magpie-Larks build mud nests, too. But their nest is usually more cylindrical, not as bulbous.

 

Thanks for the tip. Haven't seen a Chough's nest yet. Will have a squizz soon.

 

Bye, Susanne

 

 

--- On Mon, 1/9/08, Paul T. <> wrote:

From: Paul T. <>
Subject: [canberrabirds] White Winged Chough nest building at ANBG
To:
Received: Monday, 1 September, 2008, 9:11 PM

Howdy All,

No idea whether this is of any interest or not, but the White Winged
Choughs are currently working on a nest at the ANBG almost directly
above the main path leading into the Tasmanian Garden from the main
car park.  I am not at all familiar with what a Chough nest should
look like, but for some reason I thought it was a rather convoluted
communal mess of sticks etc.... this one currently resembles half a
soccerball made of mud and other material.  Looking up at it is
almost black in appearance, relatively smooth (but maybe not if you
could get up close and look at it).  I observed a pair carrying
material and watched them head up to it, which is how I found the
nest.  Once you know it is there you can't miss it, it is clearly
built on an open horizontal branch.  Not at all what I was expecting,
either in location or construction.

I don't know if this is a "new" nest or they're working on an
old
one.  Can anyone tell me if this is a known location for a nest?    I
thought it might be of interest to others who think that the Choughs
have a nest more like a Magpie...... when it is a mud and straw
construction instead.

If anyone wants further directions just drop me a line.  I'll be
keeping an eye on it now that I'm working there again, made easier by
the fact it is in the section I am responsible for. <grin>

Cheers.

Paul T.
Higgins, ACT


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