Tim et al
I saw this behaviour in a family of
magpies near my home in Williamstown (Melbourne) early last year. At least two
were lying on their sides while another one was lying on its back with its legs
dangling in the air. Like you, we initially thought we had come across injured
birds, but they all jumped up and ran away when we drew near. We had clearly
disturbed a family having a quiet kip in the early morning sunshine. It made me
think of the Gary Larsson cartoons (Sigh! I wish he’d come out of
retirement!) featuring various animals and birds in what are typically human postures/situations
before quickly reverting back to the norm when the humans appear on the scene.
Cheers
Debra Campbell
Melbourne
From:
[ On Behalf Of Dickson
Sent: Monday, 30 January 2006 3:37
PM
To: Birding-Aus
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Bush
Stone-Curlew having a lie down
I'd never seen a bird actually lying down before, until
recently. I was a James
Cook University
in Townsville and I passed a group of 4 Bush Stone-Curlews outside the
Biological Sciences buildings - 2 adults and 2 fledged young which had a few
wisps of down remaining on their otherwise adult plumage. One of the young was
lying down. Have a look at the link below to see what I mean.
I thought it might be injured but it got up and walked away
when I came to within a few metres. About half an hour later I passed the
family again and one of the chicks was again lying down. Maybe it just found
this posture comfortable? I know I do :)
