Going on my observations of chough behaviour such a large gathering indicates that perhaps two separate groups have happened upon one another. Such chance encounters are
accompanied by noisy agonistic behaviour and, as you suggest, courting behaviour may also occur. I’d further postulate that if one group is short of members then it may be seizing the opportunity to inveigle birds from the opposing group to join them.
John Layton
Holt.
From: Susan Robertson [
Sent: Saturday, 18 July 2020 12:36 PM
To:
Cc: 'Constanza León
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Choughs
There were 30 – 35 choughs in Glebe Park near the entry from Amaroo Street today. There is one nest in a willow about 100 metres along that path with some choughs visiting it.. Is it unusual to have such a large number of choughs? Quite
a bit of courting behaviour going on with several of them. Perhaps the group will split up?
Susan Robertson
