David,
It is interesting that Noisy Miners come to the assistance of Magpies
in instances like this. As Noisy Miners and Magpies happily (most of
the time, though I have seen a Magpie give a Noisy a biff on occasion,
though not a serious beating) share the same territory , I would guess
that they work together to protect their mutual territory from
interlopers. To anthropomorphise, I would say that the Noiseys are
like a little kids hanging around with the big fellows and helping out
in fights by ducking in and giving the enemy a swift kicking. Rather
reminds me of my boyhood in Redfern & Surry Hills, Sydney.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
On 11/09/2008, at 2:29 PM, wrote:
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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