The other evening just after dark we heard a bird squawking noise coming from the garden just on dark. Raced out because we thought it was something attacking our chickens. What we found was two Currawongs rolling around on the ground locked together fighting. They didn't stop when we came over either - not until we shone a torch right on them. Then they flew off . It was so bizarre - had they been there for hours, neither one willing to let go of the other even as it got dark. Do Currawongs fight like that for hours? Has anyone else observed this sort of behaviour before?
Given the time of year I'm wondering if they were engaged in a little hanky panky.
Where are you, Roseybee, because I note in Michael Morcombe's Field Guide to Australian Birds that Pied Currawongs (& I'm assuming the grappling birds you saw were Pied Currawongs) breed July - November in the north of their range & September - January in the south of their range.
Given the time of year I'm wondering if they were engaged in a little hanky panky.
Where are you, Roseybee, because I note in Michael Morcombe's Field Guide to Australian Birds that Pied Currawongs (& I'm assuming the grappling birds you saw were Pied Currawongs) breed July - November in the north of their range & September - January in the south of their range.
I am in south east Queensland - so yes Pied Currawongs. Not sure if they were breeding - seemed very aggressive lying belly to belly with their legs grabbing each other.
It seems similar to the social behaviour of Australian Magpies. I wonder if other posters have thoughts on this.
my SEQ house often seems to be a creche for the local A Magpie populatin with 20 or more young ... and the antics are certainly amusing
Peter