Hi Everybody. I didn’t intend to start a major discussion thread. I was joking and I admit that I am very fond of the finches in my backyard and I am sad when what Philip would rightly consider a less fit one becomes the prey of a butcherbird or currawong
and its weaker genes are not passed on. I understand the science but I am still a bit sad. SOOO on a lighter note my numerous daughters and granddaughters are here for dinner and we had a vote on what Currawongs should be allowed to eat. By a narrow majority
of 5 votes to 4 , they should be allowed to eat foreigners – Indian mynas, Blackbirds, Starlings etc. A statistically significant minority, consisting of the youngest members, ( 4 votes to 5) believed they should be allowed to eat plain brown birds with no
pretty colours like blue or red.
I do not know how to inform the Currawongs of our ruling in this matter.
From: Philip Veerman <>
Date: Friday, 27 June 2014 5:58 pm
To: 'Canberra Birds' <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] One less White-eared Honeyeater
The phrase
“survival of the fittest”does not actually refer to predator vs. prey, although it is often misinterpreted that way. As it may still be that the prey is the fittest if it leaves more progeny. The phrase
“survival of the fittest” actually refers to differential survival rates of members of the same species, where one has some slight advantage over another by virtue of small genetic difference that survives
to the next generation. Thus this particular
White-eared Honeyeater has been less fit than other
White-eared Honeyeaters today. Although the concept ignores that there is a huge component of random outcomes in nature.
Philip
Exactly!!!!! Have people ever heard of some old naturalists’ _expression_ “survival of the fittest”!!!???
Mark
From: John Harris
Sent: Friday, 27 June 2014 4:40 PM To: Denise Kay; John Layton
Cc: Canberra BirdsSubject: Re: [canberrabirds] One less White-eared Honeyeater
What are Currawongs allowed to eat?
From:
Denise Kay <>Date:
Friday, 27 June 2014 3:55 pmTo: John Layton <>
Cc: Canberra Birds <>Subject:
Re: [canberrabirds] One less White-eared Honeyeater
That almost just happened in my garden……pair white eared honeyeaters landed in the birth bath ( I am doing the survey this is the first time I have noticed
them in the bath before ) within seconds madam Currawong swings in and caused mayhem. They escaped thankfully.
Giralang
On 27 Jun 2014, at 3:01 pm, John Layton <> wrote:
Looked out the dining room window at 11:00 am today and saw a Pied Currawong perched on a branch of our Manchurian pear tree eating what appeared to be a White-eared Honeyeater. Went outdoors and sneaked to within
10 metres of the brunching brute and confirmed the prey item. I’ve glimpsed small groups of W-e Honeyeaters ranging through the neighbour’s grevilleas during the past two weeks.
