I reported a Koel dependent chick on Saturday. The bird was observed again yesterday (Monday) in exactly the same location – same tree, same branch, same position.
After a minute or so, one parent RWB turned up with breaky with the attendant shaking of wings and more frantic calling by the chick. Then it got more interesting. The RWB flew to the ground and the Koel followed They landed in a patch
where a tall dead weed had been lying for some time. There was some white material which I couldn’t identify from where I was, which was an apparently good food source. Where the RWB and Koel landed, there was a Crested Pigeon busily feeding itself, taking
absolutely no notice of the two Johnnies-come-lately who were a mere wing’s-length away – no social distancing here.
After the Koel received some 6 or 8 beaks full of this unknown food, it flew up to a branch very close to me. But mum/dad was characteristically protective and drew the Koel away to a higher branch. In neither the flight down to the food
nor the flight away from my position was I aware of any vocalisation by the RWB to encourage the Koel to follow. But it may have been too quiet for my poor hearing.
Also observed in the past two days: 13 Gang-gangs; and a flock of about 15 Superb Parrots flying over in the general direction of Red Hill.
David Rosalky
Deakin
