Today I saw a noisy miner fall out of the lower braches of a tree and land on its back. It was struggling to get up but some came three more miners that helped it to get up and then they flew off. Has anyone else seen this behaviour in birds before?
Ninox
I saw something similar with Noisy Miners too. A fully fledged adult just fell on the ground for some reason and its gang of about 6 landed in a circle around it - not actually helping it up though but the fallen one was back on its feet and the whole gang flew away whistling happily as Noisy Miners do. They're such social birds. I love how they always seem to congregate in a high branch and "discuss" their attacks on intruding birds before launching themselves into battle. They seem to have their own notion of teamwork.
Taz
i've seen this sort of thing as well with the birds in a group. They make a hell of a racket.
Cheers, Owen.
I have seen the opposit though, but with Magpies. There were three of them on the road. One got hit by a car, and killed. The others kept on crossing. Then I saw one of the birds go back to check on the bird. I thought, now isn't that nice!! But, OMG, next thing I saw, was the two Magpies started to "EAT" the dead and flattened brother!! ( Who knows, my be your friendly birds were just checking out the next meal?)
M-L
Yes I have seen it Ninox..... a female GW flew into my French doors under the patio one day, and just as I was getting ready to rush out and defend it in case the cat was around a whole tribe of noisy miners came in and chased her away and gathered around it. I took it inside and kept it quiet in a box for the day and it flew away the next day as happy as anything.
I had a friend tell me that the same thing happened to a noisy on their terrace and the rest of the crew came in and dragged it off to safety ....amazing stuff HUH?
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Noisy minors are amazing birds. They make a really rapid chirping call when they are angry with a cat,dog or other bird that is invading their territory. I have noticed that when there is for example a kookaburra around on noisy minor will make the call and a whole army will come in to tease the enemy. I have seen a crested pigeon who seemed to be unable to walk or fly behing guarded by a wall of companions. His friends even seemed to tug him along!