Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Pecking Order

Finally, a corella obliged and I have two short videos of a corella exerting his muscle to claim the feeder.  The quality is not ideal - but the aggression is evident.  On the smaller feeder, less than two feet away two other corellas had the feeder to themselves. 





And, on an unrelated note - a friend sent me this gem today.  She knows me well.  And, despite the recent book cull, there is definitely not enough shelves here.


94 comments:

  1. Or not enough memory on one's reader...
    That white bird was really getting shafted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: My memory problem is within my head - no upgrades available yet either.
      And the corella was giving some vicious bites there...

      Delete
  2. Oh my! That's quite a rugby scrum you've got going there. I'd quite forgotten how large and noisy those birds are - at least compared to the tiny birds that visit our feeders. As you can see in this video from our garden, that Swedish birds are far more refined and have better table manners than those uncouth antipodeans :-)

    Too many books? Perish the thought!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie: Your birds are indeed considerably less pushy. The convict pigeons were not welcomed by the indigenous corellas. And, much like our indigenous people severely outnumbered.
      And I knew that you, like me, couldn't conceive of too many books.

      Delete
  3. The corellas are very funny aren't they? Like there is not enough food. Pecking order indeed.
    I am just looking at your reading list for 2014 EC ~ remarkable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol in Cairns: Midnight's Children and one of the books I am currently reading are slowing me down a bit - but yes, I am still indulging this obsession.

      Delete
  4. There never is too many books! Even I read on eReader, yet I still order prints!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Romance Book Haven: I haven't warmed to an eReader and only read those books I cannot get in any other format. Which makes for a crowded house...

      Delete
  5. What a delightful mass of feathers!

    Love the quote too. And I couldn't agree more. Not enough shelves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wendy: Most of our bookcases are stacked two and three deep and still there isn't enough. The floor shelving happens more often than I like too. And indeed almost every flat surface.

      Delete
  6. Those pigeons are all 'bottoms up' lol.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful Corella, battling its way on the feeder, great video EC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob Bushell: In the end it won - and got the feeder all to itself. Until the cockatoos arrived.

      Delete
  8. Oh my! That quote is perfect! I recently went through an weeded some of my collection, and I still have almost twice as many books as I do shelves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherie Reich: Scary isn't it? I have no idea how many books I have, and will only admit to a lot.

      Delete
  9. The birds remind me of a local phenomena I saw years ago. An inlet on Lake Erie, people threw old bread to the carp. The carp congregated so thickly that sea gull walked on their backs for their share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne Noragon: There is back walking here too. Interesting that the sea gulls were more interested in the bread than the carp. An opportunist could have had both.

      Delete
  10. They are hungary birds and no manners but it is coming into winter so it's time to fatten up.
    Merle............

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Merlesworld: The birds that visit us have quite a bit of 'condition' already. But no, I don't begrudge them any of the food we put out.

      Delete
  11. Outta my way! I'm here to eat and nothing is gonna stop me now! I didn't realize you could elbow your way in so well when you don't have elbows. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DJan: Elbows? Who needs them. Beak and claw do the job just fine...

      Delete
  12. All the birds seemed eager to have some! And yes, love the book plate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bookie: Eager doesn't begin to cover it. They keep watch and when either of us go out the front door the birds arrive - on the off chance there is something in it for them.

      Delete
  13. So true! So true...about the books and shelves. That describes my place down to a tee! lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee: There are a few of us in that category aren't there? Too many books are never enough.

      Delete
  14. Hey Sue,

    What the flock! I don't think I'd like to be near those birds.

    Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. klahanie: Gary, the birds would be very, very pleased to see you. Particularly if they thought you had food for them.

      Delete
  15. I will tell my husband about the too many books/shelves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birdie: Will your husband listen though? I have tried that line, and the smaller portion rolls his eyes at me. Which really isn't fair. If he didn't have books too there would be nearly enough shelves for mine. Nearly.

      Delete
  16. I fully agree with the book comment. I'm about going to throw out a bed in the guest room so I can have awhile wall of books. When a surfeit of grandchildren come (not often), they can have a mattress on the floor.
    I'm here every day and I need my books.
    Those pigeons are so insistent but the little corella will not be ousted.
    Happy days my friend'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arija: Books or house guests? Not a difficult decision for me. At all.
      And the corella persisted until it had the whole feeder to itself.

      Delete
  17. The pigeons are so persistent. I can't stand them so they are very pleasing recordings for me to see. May the corellas win the food wars. Great work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew: The corellas do win the food wars. Each and every time they play.

      Delete
  18. He's such a cheeky charlie! Not having much luck though, there are way too many pigeons!
    I LOVE the not enough shelves image. That should be poster sized and stuck on my wall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River: He won in the end. He just kept going until the pigeons gave up. And when two corellas launch an attack at the same time the pigeons lose quickly.
      Poster sized? Yes, but not if it limited shelf space.

      Delete
  19. The other birds did not have a chance. Those naughty corellas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan Kane: Naughty? Just exerting their rights. You ask them.

      Delete
  20. God forbid you get in between a bird and its food! That is why the "eating like a bird" expression just cracks me up.

    (My cat is saying, "Birds are food, you silly woman.")

    I think your friend is right :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Riot Kitty: Eating your own weight in food is eating like a bird. Every day. With nooooo manners.
      And our cats insist that birds should be food. And hold it against me that I deny them.
      And yes, my friend is certainly right on the book front.

      Delete
  21. Hilarious! Hauled off by a corella.
    Having been the recipient of a bite from a cocky and a lorikeet, those beaks mean business!
    Never enough wall space for shelves :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicki: It isn't all of the corellas who are violent, but the ones that mean business mean just that. And yes, I have been bitten by a cockatoo. Not fun. Not fun at all.

      Delete
  22. I'm amazed the feeder can take the weight of all those birds. I could adapt that line to my pottery, there is no such thing as too much pottery only not enough shelves. Ha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda Starr: Though I envy the shelving you have just installed in your workroom.

      Delete
  23. When I first saw the birds I thought he was throwing the pigeons off the feeder! That must be so funny to watch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teresa: He was throwing them off - and it is a complete hoot to watch.

      Delete
  24. Here, too, the birds seem especially hungry/greedy/hogging space at the feeders. I guess it's all the energy expended building nests (and...er, making baby birds)? BTW, we have some very...AMOROUS grackles that make quite a show of doing IT in our backyard. Quite a sight.

    I can totally relate to the books/shelves issue!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. CrankyPants: The pigeons have no shame here either. And I frequently laugh watching the males do their oh-so-enticing dances of love - to be completely ignored by the females whose priority is FOOD. Lots of food. Now.

      Delete
  25. That's amazing to watch! Aggressive little buggers...
    Now you have me contemplating Harpies after your comment on the UR blog! I need another fortifying glass of punch... ;)

    River Fairchild – A to Z April Challenge
    Untethered Realms

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River Fairchild: Agressive doesn't begin to cover it. And fortunately harpies don't frequent our feeder.
      I will share that punch with you. Mmmm punch.

      Delete
  26. Brilliant! Well done that woman, I can see my amazing film making skills are spreading, you're already better than I am. I wouldn't want to be wearing a bird seed hat near them mind you. Alfred Hitchcock springs to mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All Consuming: A hat of some description is desirable near them. Their continence leaves a lot to be desired. I spend rather a lot of time scrubbing the veranda - and should spend more.

      Delete
  27. Good videos, EC. You have a steady hand. Strange that although there is more than enough food for all, the one wants it all. Reminds me of some people!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jenny_o: The feeding scrum reminds me of 'sale time' just after Christmas. Not pretty. Not edifying. And in the hustle and bustle birds/people miss out.

      Delete
  28. Yep, that bird has def. let power go to his head. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mail4rosey: It has gone to his head, his beak, his claws...

      Delete
  29. Love the quote, it's a definite state of being in our home, definitely not enough shelves...need more...

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh, the little bugger! Such an aggressive thing!

    Are corellas a kind of cockatoo? Nothing like that here!!

    Pearl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pearl: They are related to cockatoos - but smaller and more aggressive. Quite a bit more aggressive. They see off the cockatoos from time to time too.

      Delete
  31. Loved your videos and loved the book quote. That was getting like our house too, except we did the cull and boy was it hard to choose. I am so attached to them. I guess it's time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DeniseinVA: I did a cull recently and it is still like that. I need to be harder hearted. (Or cull someone else's books). And I prefer the second option - but won't do it.

      Delete
  32. We had Grackles in Indiana. Forceful. Dominating. Fierce. One day I saw them tearing one of my songbirds limb to limb. Within seconds, there was a very long rifle pointing out of my living room window JUST as a police car cruised by. He didn't notice, or else he knew me and figured he'd best keep on driving. Within minutes, I had six dead grackles because they would NOT leave the dying bird..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lotta joy: Aaaargh. Fortunately there is no tearing limb from limb here. Pushing, shoving and tail pulling but that it as far as it goes. Which is just as well. No guns.

      Delete
  33. This looks similar to my feeding ducks at a nearby pond. It never ceases to amaze me how competitive they are to get food - tearing each other's feathers off and all.

    I love the quote about books and shelves. It's very true.

    Be well.
    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rawknrobyn: There are rather a lot of us with shelving issues aren't there?
      And rather a lot of greedy birds.

      Delete
  34. I had books in boxes, books lying on tables, on chair, sofas, lined up on dressers, just everywhere. I had eight bookshelves full, also. Books in the bookshelves lie on top of books and are behind books. One day, I decided I was going to only have full bookshelves and nothing out of a shelf.

    I went through each box first, then the dresser top, consolidating as I went. When I cleared books from the shelves, I put the keepers from boxes there.

    I got out ten books a day to sell, donate, gift or trash. When I had rid myself of 800 books, the rest all fit on shelves. So, I kept them, probably 1200 books. But, 800 went bye bye.

    When I went to the thrift store where I donated them, I was shocked because 90% of the books were mine. It looked like MY bookshelf.

    Someday, somehow, I will replace many of those books with better copies after I get new shelves. I still don't mind books on tables, but that will be another chapter of the story of books and me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Practical Parsimony: Congratulations. You did a lot more than I can bring myself to do. And when I went to the book fair recently I recognised rather a lot of my books too.

      Delete
  35. I dream of a home where the walls are lined with shelves. I love to hold books, hug them close, flip the pages and inhale deeply, then dive into the words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Guyana-Gyal: How nice to see you back. Internet behaving again I hope. And yes, books are bliss. They look good, they feel good, they smell good...

      Delete
  36. I adore bound books, too. I do have an e-reader, but I just use it for hard to get items. The books on my shelves are mostly well-loved volumes.

    See the birds feed is a treat! That corella does like to show who is boss. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynn: I suspect that a lot of the books I read - out of print books are not available on an e-reader. Well that's my excuse anyway. I do love my books. Even though the shelves groan.
      The corellas insist on being boss.

      Delete
  37. I don't know who was who but it all looked like some good movie scene violence to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grannie Annie: I suspect that some of the pigeons would have liked a stunt double too.

      Delete
  38. It looks like aggression is needed if one is to eat.

    I think that "too many books" happens when you realize that you own more books than you can possibly read in your lifetime.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snowbrush: They have learnt that we top the feeders up. Aggression is necessary if one wants to eat NOW.
      I may already have more books than I can read in my lifetime - but I am prepared to keep trying. And trying.

      Delete
  39. All living things have a pecking order, haha (pun intended). When we moved last year, my friend teased me that I stole a bunch of books from the library-that's how many books I have! http://untetheredrealms.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen Gardner: I have been asked when I am going to open my library to the public. Answer? Never. Mine, mine, mine.
      And yes, pecking order is very real. Sometimes painfully so.

      Delete
  40. What great little videos! Talk about pecking order...

    I've run out of shelves which is why I have several Kindles!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ladyfi: This, and similar scenes, keep us glued to the window. Often.
      I do understand the space saving benefits of Kindles - but prefer books. 'Real books'.

      Delete
  41. Aggressive little buggers! Reminds me of humans at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Wiswell: I do hope that Grand Central Terminal isn't quite so violent. Crowds are not something I am comfortable with, and aggressive crowds would do my head in.

      Delete
  42. More feeder stations needed.

    Coincidentally I was looking at the birdy zoo on our lawn today where my Lady lays out bird-feed and commenting on how well most birds of all types seemed to get along, or at least tolerate each other. Those white Australian ones are a bit different.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: Or more patience needed. There is another feeder only feet away, an apple in a nearby tree and some seed spread on the ground. Which is probably enough.
      The corellas don't do patience well - or some of them don't. Two of them are particularly aggressive and we think they are the first pair who found us - and rapidly became known as Tubby and Chubby.

      Delete
  43. Great videos! And I definitely don't have enough bookshelves in my house. :) Have a wonderful Easter weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains: Welcome and thank you. I don't know many (any?) readers who have enough bookshelves. The impossible dream I think.
      And a great Easter to you and yours.

      Delete
  44. Birds can be fierce. Books can be WONDERFUL (and fierce as well :-)


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral

    =^..^=


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cloudia: We are agreed. Both books and birds can be fierce - and wonderful - and I am addicted to both.

      Delete
  45. Those videos are neat with all the fluttering wings. It's poetry. :) A beautiful weekend to you. Untethered Realms

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M Pax: That particular poem is of war. Just the same I I love to see all of the birds.
      A happy weekend to you too.

      Delete
  46. Ahhh, the white bird needs her own feeder. Gorgeous.

    Happy Easter. xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Inner Chick: Two feeders, an apple hung in the tree, and seed and water on the ground should be enough. You would think. I hope your Easter was wonderful.

      Delete
  47. When I get behind I have to settle for being # 93 on the list of comments ... hope you have time to find me down here. These video's are hysterical ... what a crowd of birds and one Big Boss Bird. He had no trouble getting what he needed. Is this the school yard Bully story?

    I ran out of shelves long ago ... I now have a stack of books to read that sit on the floor next to my bed ... the others that I have finished have found their way to the "Used Book Store" ... and they even pay me a little for them. Pretty good deal, don't you think.

    I did finish Trooper ... and if I had an Elijha in my life, I can think of a lot of people I might sic him on. It is probably a good thing that this is fiction :)

    Andrea @ From the Sol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrea Priebe: You are welcome whenever you arrive. And yes, I have found you. The corellas (two of them in particular) are bullies. The pigeons are greedy and successfully crowd out quite a lot of the other birds - but the corellas aren't having any of it.
      I give my books away - but yes, being paid for them has charm.
      Glad that you finished Trooper's Run. Partially fiction and some wishful thinking?

      Delete