I was standing in my backyard, with our pet rat( Mr Ratty) on my shoulder, when I heard this squawking sound from above.
It was a magpie chasing away a chickenhawk.
OMG all I could think of was, "what if that bird spots my baby on my shoulder?"
Needless to say I quickly got him down from my shoulder & took him inside.
A few months ago I watched a chickenhawk land in our lilliplli trees & help itself to a baby dove. I was a bit upset about this (yes I know it's nature) but having watched those doves build the nest (not the best nest builders, are they?) only to have some big ugly creature take their baby, was heartbreaking for me.
So now u know what kind of person I am.
SOFT!
Cheers from Green :-)
You're not soft. None of us like watching birds die, especially by another bird, but that's the way it is.
I know people that passionately hate the Cuckoo family of birds that migrate here every year, because they lay eggs in the nests of native birds, which then in turn hatches with the native egg, and then pushes the native chick out of the nest so it can be solely fed by the parent birds. To them, the find this abhorrent, and consider these birds as 'illegal' birds that should be removed at any given chance to allow the native birds a chance to grow.
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Personally I don't agree. I find them fascinating, and an integral part of the Aussie birdlife. History has shown that when man interfers with the natural balance of things, it has far reaching ramifications that sometimes aren't noticed until generations down the track.
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What do you mean by chickenhawk? Do mean either Nankeen kestrel or a Goshawk or a Sparrowhawk or some other Raptor etc?
Hello Gelmir,
Yep I think the term I sould have used was a Goshawk/Collared Sparrowhawk.
As to ur comment about the Cuckoo - I hate the idea of how they use other birds to rear their young, BUT that's nature for you! And you can't fight it!
When they turn up in our area each year, the first time we hear that call, we give each other 'that look', knowing "they're back". The sound drives us mad, LOL.
But they have their part to play in the world too.
OOOOO - now I'm getting all deep and meaningful.
Cheers from Green :-)