Bell MIner Territoriality Question.

["patrick dickson" <>]

I'm following through on the issue of bush dieback resulting from Bell Miner colonization.

One of the factors is the fierce territoriality of the Bell Miners. They will evict any other bird which enters their territory which in my experience can be several hectares. I have seen them dismiss Kookaburras, mobs of Parots and Currawongs, as well as smaller tree feeding individuals. They will 'dive bomb' any intruder in ones, twos, then threes, fours, etc until they successfully chase them off.

Is there any other Australian bird which exhibits territorial behaviour towards birds of other and/or all other species? This seems to me an unusual evolved behaviour.

Patrick Dickson

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