I think we have been down this track before. (a) We have discussed Galahs marking trees with an actual or potential nest-hollow. (b) More likely birds were attacking the cambium as a food source, removing the bark for that purpose. It does seem an extreme example, but perhaps the layer here was particularly attractive or accessible. Doesn’t look so much like stripping (as YTBCs might do on a stringy-barked tree) as piecemeal chewing away.
From: Alan Thomas [
Sent: Monday, 6 August 2012 4:16 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Bark stripping by a Galah?
I noticed significant stripping of the bark of an Argyle Apple in Haig Park opposite the entrance to the O'Connell Hall at Merici College on the weekend. I have attached some photos showing the extent of the stripping. A galah was busy chewing away at the bark at the time. Would a galah (s) be responsible for such extensive bark stripping? The galah was near a nest hollow at the time.
