Jim,
I was at Goobang National Park - between Parkes and Dubbo in NSW on Monday 2
June and also observed huge flocks of Noisy Friarbirds behaving in a similar
fashion. The "noise" was overwhelming, particularly as they seemed to be
setting off responses from sulphur-crested cockatoos. I wondered at the
time what was going on! I await responses to your questions with interest.
Cilla Rose
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From: birding-aus-owner
To: OZ Bird Listserve
Subject: Winter Flocks of N. Friarbirds
Date: Sunday, 8 June 1997 8:50
To those interested in watching behaviour:
Currently, in Brisbane small to large flocks of Noisy Friarbirds are
moving through the canopy of the neighbouring forest (e.g. Mt Coot-tha).
They are feeding, calling (various vocalizations) and apparently defending
a small area around their "current" patch of flowers. However, after
careful observations the interactions between birds also seem to suggest
that some birds are tolerate of encroachment by specific individuals --
instead of overtly attacking, the "resident" bird approaches and calls to
the encroachee. Assuming that my observations truely reflect the facts,
I ask the following questions: 1) Are the "resident" birds in fact males
that display less aggression toward females, young etc.? 2) Can thhe
small feeding territories be consider mobile leks? 3) Are N. Friarbird
promiscuous? Currently, I have failed to find any published literature
that provides relevant information.
Cheers, Jim Davis
Dr. Wm. James Davis
e-mail
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