Butcherbirds (like other predators) can also respond to concentrated sources
of prey in human habitations. In the 1980s, a relatively large colony of
Welcome Swallows nested under the eaves of the roof over the verandah of the
Eyre Bird Observatory. The Welcome Swallow nestlings were easy pickings for
a pair of Grey Butcherbirds who fed their own offspring in a nest located in
a tree just 200 m away. Di Congreve (the wife of the observatory's warden,
Peter), who chased the butcherbirds away with an upturned broomstick every
time she saw them approach the observatory's verandah, was the main form of
predation control. Without Di's input, who knows how much the local
population of Grey Butcherbirds would have increased through improved
breeding success. My only regret is that I never took any photos of Di
while she was valiantly trying to save "her" swallows!
Stephen Ambrose
Ryde NSW
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of
Greg and Val Clancy
Sent: Monday, 7 July 2014 2:57 PM
To: Alan Gillanders; Andrew Thelander; Birding Aus
Subject: Boobook Owl - Brisbane
I know of two cases where Pied Butcherbirds and Australian Magpies attacked
fledging Ospreys as they took their first flights with both young birds
suffering eye damage from their attackers. It seems that the feeding of
these aggressive birds in nearby backyards caused them to concentrate in the
area.
Regards
Greg
Dr Greg. P. Clancy
Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide
| PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460
| 02 6649 3153 | 0429 601 960
http://www.gregclancyecologistguide.com
http://gregswildliferamblings.blogspot.com.au/
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Gillanders
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2014 12:24 PM
To: Andrew Thelander ; Birding Aus
Subject: Boobook Owl - Brisbane
Does Brisbane have more Butcherbirds than it used to too. This could also
increase the predation rate if that has indeed happened.
D. Jones only found that the feeding of Magpies did no harm to the Magpies
but my question is what does that do for other species?
Regards,
Alan
Alan's Wildlife Tours
2 Mather Road
Yungaburra 4884
Phone 07 4095 3784
Mobile 0408 953 786
http://www.alanswildlifetours.com.au/
-----
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