In the last breeding season, a pair of A. Ravens had a successful clutch of
two in a tree opposite my house in Deakin. The young birds dispersed but
the parents have spent the autumn and winter in the immediate vicinity
guarding their territory. Some four weeks ago, I recorded a nest-building
activity wherein both birds flew into the tree where they had nested with
bunches of sticks and leaves. They did not, to my observation, use the
material to build the nest or a new nest. It seemed to be a signalling
activity, pair-bonding (or perhaps a reconfirmation of vows). The signal
worked because the neighbouring magpies and currawongs got the message and
began harassing the ARs until they flew off noisily.
I also saw an AR apparently depositing some treasure (I did not see what it
was) in the foliage of a roman cypress adjacent to the nesting tree on at
least two occasions. HANZAB describes caching of food although it does not
mention doing so in foliage. But that is what the activity looked like to
me.
On the matter of late breeding, I saw a very young begging magpie with
attendant adult on ANU campus last week.
David Rosalky
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Payne
Sent: Saturday, 25 June 2011 1:16 PM
To:
Subject: Raven nest-building in Telopea Park
A Raven was building a nest this morning high in one of the Telopea Park
blue gums. More or less in the middle of the park - about midway between the
picnic area with the covered benches and the toilet block.
Nick
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