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The Collared Finchbill

10,000 Birds

Fortunately for them (though less so for the cuckoo), in one experiment they ejected 100% of all cuckoo model eggs. A relative of them, the Brown-breasted Bulbul, relies on a different strategy to avoid being cuckolded – placing their nests away from forests (where the cuckoo lives), and aggressively attacking cuckoos.

Vegan 185
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Pied Oystercatchers and Sand Goannas

10,000 Birds

We have often suspected that the Sand Goannas would steal eggs as a food source from the Pied Oystercatcher nests if they found them. The two pairs should have been close to hatching their eggs from their first clutch. The pair of Pied Oystercatchers to the north have now laid a second clutch of two more eggs.

Eggs 261
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Pied Oystercatcher breeding season is here again!

10,000 Birds

Well, not quite like clockwork, because this year one pair of Pied Oystercatchers on Cable Beach laid their first clutch of eggs a bit earlier than normal. This year the first clutch was laid at the end of May and this is the first time we have had eggs laid in May along Cable Beach since 2000. Pied Oystercatchers feeding alone.

Breeding 255
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Pied Oystercatcher nesting

10,000 Birds

To the north they are very unlucky with predation before the eggs even hatch out, but to the south the eggs hatch out and then the predation occurs on the chicks. The main problem appears to be feral cats, but there is also predation from birds of prey and the parent Pied Oystercatchers do their utmost to protect their young.

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Pied Oystercatcher broken wing display

10,000 Birds

The first eggs are laid during the first week of July each year and if these eggs fail to hatch or the chicks are lost they will lay further eggs within a few weeks. Sadly a lot of eggs are lost to feral cats and chicks are sometimes taken by birds of prey. Nest site with 3 eggs-one white!

2002 166
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15 Australian Birds (Episode 4)

10,000 Birds

Gisela Kaplan has written a book about the species, and how they seem unperturbed by humans: “It’s one of their most successful defense strategies. When these birds breed, this can lead to highly cringeworthy announcements, for example from Adelaide Zoo : “We have egg-citing news!

Birds 236
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Animals of Kruger National Park: A Book Review

10,000 Birds

Tall grass, grass in burnt areas, leaves stems, small mammals, large mammals, invertebrates, birds, bird eggs, even hyena feces (that’s the Leopard Tortoise). million visitors a year from all over the world, who come to see the big cats, the graceful antelopes, and the intriguing lizards. Such a great variety of food!

Rhinos 244