We have a resident pair of Magpie-larks, and about five years ago they
nested in a large mahogany (Eucalyptus acmenoides) in our property. One day
we heard a commotion and went out to see the Magpie-larks trying to scare
off a pair of Channel-bills, to no avail. We couldn't see clearly but it
appeared that they were after the eggs. The Magpie-larks abandoned that nest
and moved to a different tree to try again. This time they lost three young
to a raptor (can't remember which but I think it was a Whistling Kite).
Well today the Channel-bills were again at the nest of our Magpie-larks.
Does anyone know if they actually do eat other birds' eggs or were they
wanting to lay in the Magpie-larks nest? If the latter, I would have thought
it to be to their advantage to be a bit surreptitious, not launch a full-on
frontal attack.
Paul Osborn
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