Breeding Season Bird Behaviour
Submitted: Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 15:01
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Member - Marc Luther B (WA)
Hi All
I have found out that it is currently breeding season for quite a lot of bird species, but the behviour we have been seeing is nothing short of astonishing. There are a variety of birds of prey, omnivorous birds and insectivorous birds in this area (
Lake Gregory WA).
It seems the smaller the bird, the greater their territorial drive. Watching small finches (I think) and other smal birds quite savagely attack the head area of larger raptors, and be agile enough to escape, makes me wonder which birds are more supreme.
We are going to attempt some photos on the coming weekend, but many of these birds seem to have no fear of man, and frequently swoop. There is also some kind of plover with redish feathers near
the neck, and that bird has some kind of hook on its leg which really hurts. They are fearless.
Maybe someone can explain all this aggression, as I am sure it is not just breeding season causing it.
Cheers
Reply By: 3GoBush - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 16:57
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 16:57
You may be talking about this one, a ferocious little bugger.
Masked Lapwing (Spur-winged Plover)
AnswerID:
430198
Follow Up By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:04
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:04
3GoBush
I would say that is either the same bird or very similar.
I aint stupid enough to go close enough to find out.
Cheers
FollowupID:
701023
Reply By: Begaboy - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 17:53
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 17:53
we have a few plovers at work nesting behind the factory. They are fearless and will chase anyone that comes within 20 feet of there eggs..... quiet amusing to watch people stumble into the area
AnswerID:
430200
Follow Up By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:06
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:06
Hi Begaboy
I have no idea where the nest for these guys are, and no intention of trying to find out. I have reached an agreement with the bird (the bird don't know it though), I am going nowhere near the birds sao they don't have to come near me.
Cheers
FollowupID:
701024
Reply By: Member - Stuart P (WA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:04
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:04
any raptor within cooee of a breeding area will be chased out , the smaller birds mob in numbers to confuse the predators, in most cases with diurnal raptors (unles it is a sparrowhawk or australian little falcon ) there is no value in chasing morsels or smaller birds because of the energy expended to catch them , the calorific value is not there,
owls will be chased and harried out of trees during the day by smaller birds to get them out of the area.
AnswerID:
430216
Follow Up By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:09
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 20:09
Hi Stuart
I hear what you are saying, but what about the damned plover bird. The wife and I did not even know they were there, and suddenly they were almost on us and not happy.
Thanks for the info about the smaller birds, I thought they were just too agile to be caught.
Cheers
Marc
FollowupID:
701025
Reply By: Member - John S (INT) - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 21:26
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 21:26
g'day Marc,
Plovers are always pretty territorial at breeding season,because their nest is just a patch on the ground.So they are easy pickings to all sorts of predators. this makes them very protective, i have even heard them making there warning noise at night time, i guess it could be to chase off a fox or other predator . Magpies and plovers, can both make you keep your head down this time of year.
Cheers,
John.
AnswerID:
430232
Reply By: bluefly - Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 21:40
Monday, Sep 13, 2010 at 21:40
Marc
Plovers are a ground nesting birds, and as you say are very aggressive during the breeding season. They tend to swoop very low to the ground before rising up and wacking you on the head.
The thorn you speak of has gone through my head many a time.
Cheers
AnswerID:
430234