Podargus strigoides

11 Tawny Frogmouth at Deakin, ACT

Request use of media

Identification history

	Podargus strigoides	29 Aug 2021	MichaelBedingfield
	Podargus strigoides	28 Aug 2021	LisaH

Identify this sighting

Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

User's notes

A story of survival - for today, anyway. On my exercise break, I heard a kerfuffle, and looked over to see a female tawny frogmouth (sighting posted recently) being attacked by two ravens (1st photo). The frogmouth flew off, pursued by the ravens, with noisy miners and currawongs in tow. The frogmouth rested in a tree, was pursued, rested again, then flew low across a road, nearly being hit by a car. I crossed the road, could not see anything, but heard a cacophony back where the chase began. In a dead tree I could see a raven, about 14 pied currawongs, and numerous noisy miners, all calling (2nd photo). Crossing back into the reserve, I thought the frogmouth was safe, but then sighted her sitting on the ground, with the two ravens aggressively setting upon her (3rd photo). I moved towards them, but not too close, and the ravens flew off (don't know if I was interfering, but I didn't really have time to think). The frogmouth flew to a nearby branch, whereupon she was swooped by two or three currawongs (4th photo), while the other currawongs called from the surrounding trees. Most of the currawongs then disappeared, one by one. I left the scene, thinking the frogmouth was safe, only to hear the ravens cawing, and saw her being pursued once again. Rushing back, I, along with another carefully masked and socially-distanced concerned citizen, stood near the tree where she was sheltering (5th photo). We watched with relief as the ravens flew off, followed hotly by noisy miners. After a short rest, the tawny frogmouth flew strongly off to her original branch, and was still there some hours later. Phew!

12 comments

HelenCross wrote:

28 Aug 2021

Poor thing!

LisaH wrote:

28 Aug 2021

Yes, it was not pleasant to witness. I haven't yet developed that tough interior for accepting all that nature throws to its own . . .

HelenCross wrote:

28 Aug 2021

I would have done the same

LisaH wrote:

29 Aug 2021

Oh, thank you - I feel reassured.

natureguy wrote:

29 Aug 2021

I feel bad for most birds of prey. I saw a Barn Owl in July in Dickson, and was alerted to its presence by a horde of Noisy Miners, Currawongs, Red Wattlebirds, Ravens and Magpies that were all harassing it. It flew into a dense conifer and the horde of pursuers were all just sitting around the tree squawking for several hours waiting for the bird to move. I'm pretty sure it just rode the day out sitting in there and left in the peace of the night.

LisaH wrote:

29 Aug 2021

Interesting - thank you for sharing. We wondered if was all about territory - that the tawny had wandered onto territory already owned, a hierarchy already established?

natureguy wrote:

29 Aug 2021

It might have something to do with bird territories, but generally I would say it is more likely tthat most birds recognise potential threats and predators. They will get agitated and try to move on the threat. Not that I'd think Tawny's are really a predator of many birds. But I have seen Tawny's being mobbed, as well as Cuckoos and many birds of prey. We had a Tawny nesting on our property last year and it got attacked while on the nest on several occasions by Olive-backed Orioles, Choughs, Magpies, Ravens and Wattlebirds, but it withstood the attacks (the attackers often left after a while or were scared away by us), and the pair raised 2 chicks. So they generally survive the mobbing from other birds but it must be painful.

LisaH wrote:

29 Aug 2021

Thank you - recognition of threat makes sense. I suspect she would have been badly hurt once the ravens had her on the ground, sadly, had I not been there. Very pleased to see her fly.

RodDeb wrote:

29 Aug 2021

So glad you were there and did what you could for the Tawny Frogmouth. Would have done the same thing if we saw what was happening.

LisaH wrote:

30 Aug 2021

Thank you - I couldn't not be there, and glad my presence was enough (I thought I was going to have to call a wildlife carer). Glad to know I'm not alone.

Gunyijan wrote:

30 Aug 2021

We must all feel relieved to hear the happy ending to your story. Well done to you and your masked fellow rescuer!

LisaH wrote:

30 Aug 2021

:) :) Thank you. Fingers crossed they are able to safely stay here.

Please Login or Register to comment.