This email reminds us of a quite distressing time we had quite a few years ago (before we knew of COG), when a pair of noisy friarbirds took noisy exception to their own images in the (very large) “mirror” of our western facing front windows, which we
had had covered with a reflecting foil to reduce the late afternoon glare.
The birds would start very early each morning, with deafening cackles as they tried to attack their “adversaries”, and kept it up for hours.
We first tried a large (imitation) raptor we bought and assembled – which when it was “flying” above the windows (suspended on wires) was ignored, and when it was attached to a stake in front of the windows was perched upon.
The only way we could – after a lot of experimenting – stop the chaos and get some peace was to completely cover the windows from top to bottom with a closely knitted green “sarlon” mesh, so the birds could no longer see themselves. We left it up for
quite a long time, in fear that removing it too soon might bring them back.
We were never aware of whether or where the birds were nesting – and certainly never saw any young – but we suppose they were doing so not too far away.
We’ve wondered if they, or others, might ever repeat the “attacks”, but though we’ve heard noisy friarbirds in our area (Emu Ridge in Belconnen) quite often over the years, none has ever done so – for which we’ve been thankful.
Kevin and Gwenyth Bray
From:
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 10:33 AM
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Birds and mirrors
If it is causing that distress (and this is normal), I would like to suggest removing the mirror or covering it, during the start of the breeding season.
Philip
From: Rick Kuhn [
Sent: Tuesday, 11 October, 2016 10:26 AM
To: COG list
Subject: [canberrabirds] Birds and mirrors
A couple of years ago a large mirror with a crack was exiled to the outside wall of the back of the garage.
The first spring, a White-browed Scrubwren took exception to the other, persistent White-browed Scrubwren transgressing its territory in the mirror, with daily attacks over several weeks.
Earlier this year a male Superb Fairywren did the same for a few weeks.
Then a female Magpie Lark for about a week.
Now a Red Wattlebird is engaging with very vigorous combat with its rival in the mirror.
Rick
