canberrabirds

starling on sheep, Namadgi [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

To: <>
Subject: starling on sheep, Namadgi [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
From: "Perkins, Harvey" <>
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2010 10:20:33 +1100
Perhaps not common, but neither is it uncommon in my view. Common Mynas are also prone to this behaviour.
 
Harvey
 

From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Thursday, 25 November 2010 10:31 PM
To: 'Robin Hide'
Cc:
Subject: [canberrabirds] starling on sheep, Namadgi

Not a common thing. Yes it could be for ticks, or any other insects that sheep may attract, it could be because the moving sheep flushes insects, it could be to pull wool from the sheep to put in their nest, it could be that starlings will use sheep to get away from a predator (hobby etc) if there aren't bushes nearby. Or it could just be a nice or entertaining perch. 
 
Maybe the starling is trying to channel greater brain capacity from the sheep. Or maybe in reverse............. Sorry that bit is a joke..........
 
Philip
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Robin Hide [
Sent: Thursday, 25 November 2010 5:52 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] starling on sheep, Namadgi

Early this afternoon in a sheep pasture near the Namadgi Visitor Centre a starling was perched on a sheep's head. Is this a common sight?
I see that, in 1931, Kinghorn reported that starlings had been observed picking ticks from the backs of sheep in both Tasmania and Victoria (Emu 30(3): 225-6) - but in these modern days of dipping etc (and these sheep look shorn), would such a delicacy still be available to the starlings?
Robin Hide

St


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