Quite a few years ago, before we knew of COG’s existence, we had a
prolonged and most unwelcome noisy friarbird “display” at our house in Belconnen
(Emu Ridge). Our west-facing windows (including our main bedroom) have a
reflective coating on them to reflect late afternoon sun, which gives them an
almost mirror-like appearance from outside. This particular year (never
repeated, thankfully!) a pair on NFBs not only “found” these windows, but
decided the images of themselves in them were of “enemy” birds that needed to be
got rid of. This they did incessantly and aggressively by “attacking” the
windows from about 5 or 6 am until dark, with their loud, extremely close-by
“cackles” (and loud collisions with the glass), driving us crazy!!
We first spent about $25 to buy a large imitation eagle in a flying
posture, which we hung (as if in flight) just above our bedroom window.
When that made no difference, we placed the eagle as if perched with wings
outstretched on a pole right in front of the window – whereupon one of the NFBs
perched on top of the eagle and the attacks continued unabated. (We took
the eagle back and got our money back!)
In the end, we found the only way to stop this unending bedlam was to
completely cover the whole window with green “sarlon” netting.
Every time (as now for example) I hear a NFB (and I’ve been hearing them in
Belconnen and in Ainslie), I’m reminded of our non-“quiet enjoyment” of our home
all those years ago!
Kevin Bray
From:
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 1:44 PM
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Noisy friarbird
display
Curious. They do this sort of flight regularly to catch flying
insects. The chasing bit is an extra. Could be a few things, 2nd bird being
aggressive, 2nd bird being a DY wanting parent to feed it, just
playing...........
Philip
On Callum Brae this morning I watched a pair of noisy
friarbirds darting into the air together many times, and just a quickly
descending to the same or another tree. What was unusual ( to me) was
their proximity in the air, with one bird directly behind the other and
apparently holding on to the tail feathers of the bird in front with its
beak. It would let go as they came down to land. Unfortunately, they
would give no warning as from where and when they would take off, and they beat
me every time, so no photos of the display. However I did get a shot of
the pair together in a tree.
Interested in any comments you might have on this
behaviour.
Margaret Leggoe
