It flew in on the feather tails of one of the magpies the other morning, landing on the daybed looking very much at home, a regal presence sussing out the meat the magpie was being offered.
Once its feathered friend walked on to the grass with a beak full of meat toward the flower pot the visitor moved, it flew to the grass and started toward its feathered friend in a round-a-bout way across the lawn and onto a pot. Maybe it was hoping that it could creep up on its mate unnoticed and grab the meat. I was intrigued. Would it really take on a big male magpie and successfully get the meat?
Eventually the currawong edged closer toward the magpie, eye contact was momentarily made but the magpie was certainly not perturbed by the other bird's predatory behaviour. It put its head down and kept eating. No intimidation happening here, probably because this was a adult male magpie and not the juvenile. And it was certainly not getting any meat!
(Sorry this photo is a little out of focus.)
The magpie decided to leave, they passed each other, the magpie with the meat and the ever hopeful currawong running over to check out whether any remnants were left.
The magpie was quick to leave, he was on a mission, maybe taking some meat to his family. He was definitely not sharing with the currawong!
(I was delighted to see some light reflections on the fence)
Interestingly the currawong did not seem to mind as it was happy to continue checking out the yard and the roof of the Bali Hut for insects etc. Given the number of cobwebs on the fence there must have been some spiders for the picking.
I did not feed the currawong because it would then take over our yard by chasing the other birds away. It is not good with sharing and caring. Currawongs are known for eating baby birds and little birds like doves and so definitely not liked by other birds. When a currawong has visited before there is usually of noisy action as other birds shoose it away.
So the yellow eye black and white currawong is welcome to visit now and then as long as it does not feed on our birds. The currawong has a versatile diet, as it also feeds on dead animals killed on the roads. It is a survivor.
The currawong proved to be a most entertaining guest and one that provided a story and photos for this post.
I appreciate you dropping by to read my work, thank you.
