Won't get fooled again...

[Howard]

Looks like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths...



Then you see them take down a baby possum..!



Sorry the images aren't the best quality...it was all a bit of a rush and they were a few metres away so needed heavy cropping even at 400mm

Hope it's not upsetting for anyone. 

[jackscrap]

They are one of my favourite birds, pity about the possum though. We’ve learned to never leave the BBQ unattended as they will help themselves to whatever’s on the plate.

[Howard]

Apr 1, 2023 11:25:57 GMT jackscrap said:

They are one of my favourite birds, pity about the possum though. We’ve learned to never leave the BBQ unattended as they will help themselves to whatever’s on the plate.

Yes wonderful birds and sad for the possum but it's just nature I guess.

We left a plate unattended for a split second last month and lost half a round of brie to one! Managed to get him to drop it thankfully as I'm sure it's not good for them.

[pontiac1940]

Cool experience. Yeah, some birds eat critters...it is how they live.
The kookaburra is a type of kingfisher. Do kookaburras actually dive into water for fish or are they strictly terrestrial feeders? 
Thanks
Clive 

[Howard]

Apr 1, 2023 23:08:57 GMT pontiac1940 said:

Cool experience. Yeah, some birds eat critters...it is how they live.
The kookaburra is a type of kingfisher. Do kookaburras actually dive into water for fish or are they strictly terrestrial feeders? 
Thanks
Clive 

That's right, Clive, largest member of the Kingfisher family I believe.

As far as I know they do not dive or hunt in water, in fact I can attest that they appear to hate fish generally, given they have stolen it off my plate before now and obviously regretted it. 

They are territorial and stay together as a family unit. The famous laugh (part of the morning chorus starting at at 5.30am) is actually them saying "Stay away, this is our territory".  Squabbles do break out.

They'll eat most things that move and can fit in the their mouths I think...geckos, large spiders, 'roaches, lizards, crickets, baby possums, mice etc.

I could have saved a lot of typing by just posting this...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lZt-JLhsg4

[jackscrap]

Love how they say Kook a burra, when it should sound more like cook a burra. Can you get your visitors to laugh on cue?

[Howard]

Apr 2, 2023 1:47:11 GMT jackscrap said:

Love how they say Kook a burra, when it should sound more like cook a burra. Can you get your visitors to laugh on cue?

Yes, but then with my northern English accent combined with my quasi-Ozzie pronunciation, I have no room to talk - if you'll pardon the pun. 

No, they are a law unto themselves when it comes to laughing, but 5.30am and 8pm almost on cue!  It's a nice way to wake up, especially when the maggies get involved too.

[pontiac1940]

Apr 2, 2023 1:47:11 GMT jackscrap said:

Love how they say Kook a burra, when it should sound more like cook a burra.

Foreigners, eh? Let's get 'em saying "Worcestershire"

Apr 2, 2023 2:08:05 GMT Howard said:

No, they are a law unto themselves when it comes to laughing, but 5.30am and 8pm almost on cue!  It's a nice way to wake up, especially when the maggies get involved too.

I would hate that, but then again I am not used to them. Canada geese honk around our neighbourhood most of the year. Spome people hate it. They are neat to hear flying low over the house early in the morning. And then I go back to sleep. Those Ozzie birds would wake the dead.