YTB Cockatoos

["Paul McDonald" <>]

HI Anthony,  

I was wondering the same thing today, as I am still hearing many   cockatoos, distracting me from paperwork that needs doing   urgently! 

Given the large numbers of birds that are nearly daily moving   around, some I notice, now that I am paying more attention, in   opposite directions now (ie ocasionally west), I would be surprised   if this was a large scale migration movement involving new birds   every time. A large population congregating to take advantage of a   new/predictable food source seems more likely. Interesting though   that I didn't notice the movement at all last year, when I was also in  Geelong at this time of year. I won't get time to see where they are  going/coming from this week, perhaps other Geelong folk will fill us  in? 

Also noticing some agonistic behaviour which is quite interesting. I   wasn't close enough to determine the sexes of the birds involved,   but I saw two birds flying close together, when approached by a   third the same bird from the pair consistently chased the   newcomer in the opposite direction for 50m or so, before returning   to flying with the 'partner'. The whole process was repeated often a   few seconds later. Much calling accompanied this, almost a   buzzing type call as oppossed to the usual cries of YTBC, which   was a new call for me and quite interesting. I don't know enough   about YTBC ecology to speculate (but will anyway!), it's tempting   to think perhaps pair bonds are strong (maintained year round), or   develop much earlier than the initiation of the breeding event.  

Happy Birding,  

Paul McDonald 

On 29 Jun 2001, at 15:06, Anthony Mitchell wrote: 

>  I never did take the time to follow them to see where they   roosted. 

Please report all sightings of colour banded Brown Falcons:
Email: 
Ph: 03 5224 2938
Mbl: 0410 679 022


***********************************************
Paul McDonald
Division of Botany and Zoology
School of Life Sciences
Australian National University
Canberra, A.C.T.
Australia 0200
Ph:  +61 02 6125 2536
Fax: +61 02 6125 5573
Mbl: 0410 679 022
***********************************************
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to