Brown Falcon v Currawong

[John Larocque <>]

Are Pied Currawongs known to be aggressive toward Falcons? 
I have just seen a very assertive Pied Curawong harrass a Brown Falcon
while a Magpie sat close by and watched. All three were sitting on power
lines in open grassy woodland on the ridge between Torrens ACT and the
Tuggeranong Valley. The Currawong pressed its bill to the cable and with
its ear to the cable moved with purposeful hops toward the Falcon's
feet. The Falcon was motionless. The Currawong then lept to the air to
pass over the Falcon keeping its bill between itself and the Falcon.
Except for ducking the Currawong's bill, the Falcon barely moved. This
went on repeatedly for about five minutes after which the Falcon flew
off slowly with the Currawong in pursuit for about 200 meters.  

John Larocque
Canberra Australia
email:     or   
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