This observation is a common one. There are many more very much like this. I
have seen much the same a few times and heard and read of others. Galahs
also do this with Collared Sparrowhawks and Brown Goshawks. Maybe they are
letting the raptor know that they have been noticed and cannot be taken
unawares. Interesting that the Peregrine Falcon is very fond of Galahs
(eating them). It would seem that the Galahs have no difficulty
distinguishing the two species. Although the hunting style is quite
different and the Peregrine is not so much a stealth hunter.
-----Original Message-----
From: Merrilyn Serong <>
To: <>
Date: Monday, 25 January 1999 23:48
Subject: 2 hobbies a galah and a game of chasey
>Today I was thoroughly entertained by a rather brash galah and a couple
>of hobbies who had what I can only describe (anthropomorphically) as a
>game of chasey. All three were perched in a large bare tree, a
>favourite lookout of the hobbies. Suddenly the galah and one hobby took
>off, the galah leading, the hobby in hot pursuit, both calling loudly.
>At first I thought the hobby was chasing the galah out of its tree, but
>the galah didn't fly away, it just flew in large circles. When the
>hobby slowed, apparently almost giving up the chase, the galah circled
>around until it was behind the hobby, then both came back to the tree
>where the second hobby was still perched. The galah took a higher perch
>than the hobbies, and continually stretched and raised and lowered its
>crest.
>
>Why would these birds behave like this? The galah (34-38 cm Pizzey and
>Knight) appeared far too big to be prey for the small hobby (30-35 cm),
>and the hobby made no attempt to attack. The galah _was_ chased by the
>hobby, but both ended up where they began. Perhaps the galah benefited
>by learning how to flee, and the hobby by learning how to chase. Were
>they playing?
>
>Merrilyn
>
>
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