aussiebirder

Several of Australia’s endemic birds are known for their boldness, opportunism and ability to learn techniques often copied from other birds they have observed to steal food from the hands of unsuspecting picnicers. This has been our experience here and that of many others. So this is my topic for this post.

We took my second grandson while he was having time out from university to our favorite park for a picnic at a scenic location. Here is one view through the Angophora tree.

Some birds such as the Silver Gull, (pictured here begging) and Australian Magpie will beg furiously in front of you making firm eye contact, which in normal circumstances would be deemed by them as threatening and cause them to fly off. It was during our Easter holiday picnic a few days ago, as I shall explain. Most of these photos were taken from our iPhone as I did not have my birding camera with me.

The Beggars

While we were commencing to eat, suddenly the local Australian Magpies appeared and made their presence known by walking right up to us and making keen eye contact, in the hope we would feed them. Our Magpie is one of the world’s most intelligent birds, second only to the Raven. Both male and female Magpie came. It was obvious they knew to be here this time of day when picnicers would be on this seat which had a beautiful view of the George’s River. The sad thing is that many people unwittingly feed our wild birds, which is harmful to their well being, and also trains them to become dependent on human handouts which can cause serious illness to the birds as it is not their preferred prescribed food. Click on image to enlarge it.

The Opportunists

The two other opportunists the Pied Currawong and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo were not present at our table but have been on many occasions and as you can see below the Currawong has stolen my cookie while my back was turned, but later found that it was too hard for it to eat.

The Snatchers

If you are enjoying a picknic as we were, and the Laughing Kookaburra and Grey Butcherbird appear, always be on guard as they will come from behind and actually pluck food from your hand while you are eating, with pinpoint accuracy, often leaving you holding the remnant of a burger or biscuit. The Grey Butcherbird attempted to snatch and grab our sandwich as it sat on a branch immediately behind our seat. This was the same position I had my cheese stolen some months ago. possibly by the same bird. It had learnt to wait silently on this branch for the right moment. As I had my hat on I was able to hide my sandwich better and its attempts were unsuccessful on this occasion, especially since we were pre aware.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy your birds ! Several of the birds mentioned above are featured in my book “What Birds Teach Us” which is available here online on my Birdbooks Page. This is a easy reading beautifully illustrated and quality introduction to Australia’s birds, and is especially ideal for young people from 7 years to adult.

Each bird teaches a helpful life skill or life lesson. Why is the Pied Currawong featured as an Opportunist ?

The major lesson we learn from the Pied Currawong is that: ‘what goes around comes around’ or ‘a person reaps what they sow’ (Galatians 6:7). They are well known to be opportunistic not only by humans but also by other bird species that detest their sneaky antics. As we saw from the various attempts by our feathered friends to obtain easy food from us, there are dangers to be realised. Unfortunately, the lust and desire for FREE FEED may be detrimental to a bird’s health if the food is indigestible or even becomes poisonous in their bellies because of the nature of it being unsuitable for birds. Many birds die and are made sick each year from being fed bread and other carbohydrates which when consumed in even small amounts. It may be a deception in these cases to call these intelligent birds Clever Birds, if their antics cause them disastrous results to their lives and health.

So it is important that we see things as they really are and not as we would like to see them, avoiding self deception. Many decisions people make see only what they want or hope to see without waying up the possible and inevitable consequences of their actions. What will it do to me in the long term ? Will it be for my good or for my demise ? Jesus warned the crowds who came to listen to him about the consequences of putting our love and trust in the things of this world, making this our life’s goal – social status, increasing material possessions, wealth and popularity etc.

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

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