Aust Magpies on the African Plains

Last year at the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, an unfortunate Giraffe was
getting regular pecks on the head from a divebombing Magpie.  The Giraffe would
flinch at each attack and eventually decided to stroll off.

A couple of Magpies were eyeing me up yesterday in the grounds of the
Observatory (in the Warrumbungles at 1010m height) when I investigated the
pleading cheeps coming from a nest at the top of a large eucalypt.  I've not
been divebombed yet, but years ago, I had the full force of a Herring Gulls'
feet on the back of my head during a nest survey on a Scottish island.  It was
like a hammer blow.  Compared to that, being shat upon by the gulls was
almost pleasurable!

Rob McNaught


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