I think magpies are generally socially dominant over currawongs. This is curious.
From: Diana White [
Sent: Tuesday, 10 September, 2019 9:03 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Re :Currawongs
A gang of Currawongs lurk in upper canopies round here waiting till the resident Magpie pair, currently feeding young,appear at our kitchen door for mince handouts.They do their best to sneak any dropped or scattered morsels competing with
a regularly appearing peewee & sometimes a wattlebird.This usually develops into a battle of wits with the magpies doing about face manouvers & sudden vicious swoops to see them off.
Recently there has been a one-legged juvenile Currawong who has managed to pick up remnants & we've watched on several mornings as the adult magpies allow it to eat right next to them (as long as it's taken in the right pecking order) before
flying back up to the nest with their haul.
Just today there appeared with the group of Currawongs one with deformed
feet, which I assume is a mite infestation too by looking at photos & Denise Kay's entry on chatline.
