canberrabirds

TF Musings

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Subject: TF Musings
From: Robin Eckermann <>
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:19:22 +1100
A pair of Tawny Frogmouths was sitting on a well-known roosting spot on the path up to Mt. Ainslie from the War Memorial this morning - after a long absence. They sit within about 3m of a path that is frequented from pre-dawn until well after dark - with multiple people (and dogs) passing by every minute during busy times. Over the past five or so years a pair has used this spot most years, typically for several months at a time before they disappear.

This prompts me to wonder:

1. Is this the same pair coming back to a highly favoured roosting spot that they've used over many years?

2. Is this a new pair that has just discovered the spot and has yet to learn the extent of human proximity ... and when they do, they will give up on the spot after a few days/weeks/months?

3. Is there some subtle and maybe counter-intuitive reason why human proximity makes for a good roosting spot - like reduced daytime harrassment from other birds for example?

I'm sure there are lots of other theories - maybe someone who knows these things much better than I will be able to shed some light on TF behaviour.

Robin Eckermann
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