Tuesday 25 October 2022

[Man From Ironbark]

Lorell, This bird was one of a pair that a local who seems to want to surround herself with pets had clipped wings. Both birds escaped captivity and begged for my help. One became food for a local sparrowhawk, it wouldn't have survived long anyway with a damaged leg and wing. The other greets me at the door every morning and follows me around the garden, picking up whatever I disturb. Has been all year. He still hasn't managed to grow feathers to fly properly because the resident magpies want him out of their territory and continually pull the feathers he needs to fly with. If I locked him up until the wings are full again, he'd probably pine for the open spaces and likely not get proper nutrition. They are difficult to feed because they need to catch a lot of live insects, worms, mice, skinks and all that. Butcher's mince will not be the correct food. Our magpies are such wonderful carolers but have a fierce reputation for chasing strangers from their territory and thus are either our favourite bird or our worst enemy during nesting season. My birds don't attack me. They are grateful for the fact that my garden is continually bountiful for wildlife.



There are often conflicts between the avians but there is food aplenty so they learn to share.
One magpie against a dozen apostlebirds can be entertaining to watch. None of them want to get within range of that sharp beak.