That is interesting and worth writing up properly in CBN. I think I have only seen them take food from the ground. HANZAB mentions “birds and their young” at
the end of a long list of foods, so it is not their usual food. But little to no detail. Could you see they ate eggs / chicks?
From: John Harris [
Sent: Saturday, 20 October, 2018 2:42 PM
To: chatline
Subject: [canberrabirds] Kingfisher drama on Percival Hill.
The dramatic highlight of the Saturday morning walk on Percival Hill today took place in the remnant old growth forest on the western side of the hill. Larger nesting holes there were occupied by parrots and
cockatoos but the smaller holes were occupied by Striated Pardalotes. A pair of Sacred Kingfishers were hunting in the trees. We saw them taking small lizards etc. They then turned their attention to the pardalotes. They were able to attack the nesting sites,
drive the nesting birds away and raid the nests. We watched this drama enfold for about half an hour, both mesmerised and saddened at the same time. We know it was ‘nature being red in tooth and claw’ but it was sad to observe.
Nevertheless, we all knew it to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a unique bird-watching event which could never be planned but which rewarded those of us who dedicated our Saturday morning to the hope of
finding something interesting. We certainly did.
John
