birding-aus

Allies Against foreign Invader

To: Carl Clifford <>, "birding aus" <>
Subject: Allies Against foreign Invader
From:
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:29:03 +1000
Carl

Last weekend a couple of our local Magpies had a stoush that soon attracted
two other Magpies and two Noisy Miners.  The Noisy Miners darted in to
apparently attack the Magpie that was on its back but were ignored by all
of the Magpies.  The conflict resolved into a 4 way carolling contest and
the Noisy Miners left the scene.

Several years ago I observed three Common Mynahs attack a Magpie in our
front garden.  The Magpie was in serious trouble until a second Magpie
grabbed one Mynah and scattered the rest.  The Magpie held the Mynah down
for 10-20 seconds and must inflicted serious damage with talons and bill.

Inter species conflict in our neighbourhood is common and involves Magpies,
Currawongs, Noisy Miners, Red and Little Wattlebirds, Eastern Rosellas and
Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets but only escalates to physical violence when
Mynahs are involved.  I haven't included Grey Butcherbirds that routinely
prey on Common Blackbirds and Spotted Doves (and presumably the young of
the native birds).

Regards

David




                                                                           
             Carl Clifford                                                 
             <                                             
             c.com>                                                     To 
             Sent by:                  Birding-Aus Aus                     
             birding-aus-bounc         <>         
                                                        cc 
                                                                           
                                                                   Subject 
             10/09/08 09:59 AM         [Birding-Aus] Allies Against        
                                       foreign Invader                     
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           




I have just witnessed an interesting incident on my front doorstep. I
heard a commotion outside the front of the house, with loud squawking
from several bird species. Thinking that one of the local cats was
trying to catch a bird, I went to the front door for a look. There at
the bottom of the front steps, was a Common Mynah bailed up between
the step and the wall, receiving a real flogging from a Magpie. The
Maggie was attended by his second, a Noisy Miner who was regularly
ducking in to put the boot (beak) in, whenever the Mynah looked like
getting out from the corner. It appeared to be quite a well co-
ordinated attack. I had not seen the two native species working
together like this before.

My presence at the screen door was noticed, and the Mynah took
advantage of the distraction, and exited with haste, stage left, hotly
pursued by Maggie and Miner. An interesting entertainment to start the
day.

Cheers,

Carl Clifford


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