We were at Eynesbury. Looking, as usual for Flame Robins, and finding none, we had moved our endeavours to Jacky Winter. Now Jacky is not in nesting mode at the moment, and range a bit wider across the forest it seems. So we waited around some of the usual haunts.
I noted off on the far side of the open area, an old Grey Box, now a skeleton of its former self, and no doubt with some good nesting hollows hidden among its wide branches.
A lone Long-billed Corella has sat in the sunshine for quite a few minutes and just seemed to be enjoying the warmth.
When on a turn of fate a small group, mob, gang of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in full cry happened past.
For reasons, I can’t figure, one of them dropped down out of the flock and headed straight at the erstwhile Corella. Who to its credit decided that being pushed from its perch was not going to happen without a struggle.
However in the end, the bigger bird won out and the Corella took to the air.
After a few proud crest flushes, and a loud calling session, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo departed to catch up with its mates.
Here is how it panned out.
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Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
That is an absolute classic bird encounter and you have captured and described the action magnificently. A huge smile on my face. Absolutely no logic to the attack. Just the thrill of running with a gang and outnumbering your opponents whoever they might be. Frighteningly similar to some humans, actually. Still, it makes me laugh!
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Thanks Derek,
You’ve no idea how hard it was to write without bringing in the human connection, I wrestled with the words for quite awhile, then decided the pictures told the story.
Thanks for the insightful comment
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Great photographs David and good for the LBC for holding its ground for as long as it did. Those cockies are such bullies. Yes, definitely reminiscent of the schoolyard bully mentality.
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Yes, its hard not to ‘see’ the agression as symptomatic where ever you look
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Fabulous documentation of the interaction, David! As Derek and Eleanor have said above, it brings to mind the bully tactics that are, sadly, sometimes seen amongst humans!
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Hi David, as I said to Derek, its so hard not to make the connection. The humanist in me wants to think the best and look for the creative expressions, but sadly sometimes its not an easy conclusion.
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The Sulphurs are as aggressive as the Miners in this case Davis, as the placid Corella don’t usually put up much of a fight. The Sulphur aggression appears to be for differing reasons from what I know to that of the Miner. It may not be territorial but showing their metal or strength to its gang, like young boys in the hood. This is one reason they make such a racket and show off so much. Then again it is always difficult to understand these birds as they they are mad at times and very destructive if they can’t get their way, or even just for the fun of it, or to just show off their dominance to the gang. Great captures David, and I know from what I have seen this story would end very differently if a Yellow-tailed Cocky was on the receiving end, as I have witnessed several times. Enjoy your weekend!
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Hi Ashley, I do think you’re right. It is as much a ‘rite of passage’ or what ever the Cockatoo equivalent is. It just seems that its fair game so game on.
Lots of pairs out in the forest nesting, or at least surveying holes. The beauty of Eynesbury is the Grey Box is untouched and there are some wonderful old trees out there. Just right for the birds that nest in hollows.
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