I once saw a Willie Wagtail attack a bobcat which was moving earth near the
WW's nest. It used the same technique as described by Tracey, namely
perching on the roof, chattering and pecking. The bird was attacking it at
8am when I went to Uni, and still attacking it in the evening when I came
back. I'm surprised it didn't die of exhaustion. The story has a happy
ending, the nest wasn't destroyed and the pair went on to rear three young.
John Leonard
On 9/18/07, Tracey Newcombe <> wrote:
>
> Hi birders,
> This morning in my yard, a kookaburra was being harassed by a very irate
> Willy Wagtail. Not very unusual at this time of year, I'm sure, but the
> wagtail was actually perched on the kookaburra's back, and was pecking it.
> The wagtail had its wings folded, not flapping, and sat for over thirty
> seconds pecking away at the bigger bird, while the kookaburra studiously
> ignored it. The wagtail, getting more upset all the time, then buzzed
> around
> the kookaburra's head, calling loudly, and then perched on the kooka's
> head,
> and again began pecking. It then made one more circuit around the other
> bird, before landing once again on it's back. Finally, the kookaburra
> laughed, then lazily took off to a nearby tree, with the wagtail in hot
> pursuit. Then the little wagtail came back to it's original tree and sat
> preening itself and looking very smug. I've seen plenty of small birds
> having a go at larger ones in defence of nest or territory, but I have
> never
> seen one actually perch on another bird.
> Cheers
>
> Tracey Newcombe, Tomerong NSW
>
>
>
> www.birding-aus.org
> birding-aus.blogspot.com
>
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--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
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