We've had a couple of small birds build a nest in a large pot plant on a back patio. We saw the eggs laid and then hatched, and then the parents come and diligently feed the two baby birds. Today heard a huge commotion from the parents and thought maybe a snake in the area. Turned out it was one of those big black birds with the long tail that was inside the bush eating the two babies. I frightened it off but it was too late, the babies had been eaten. Now I have to watch the two forlorn parents looking in vain for their babies. Ain't nature cruel?

they are on heat at the moment,its mating time,noisy keols.yes they are meat eaters.

birds go nuts when they are about.

39 minutes ago, meatboy said:

they are on heat at the moment,its mating time,noisy keols.yes they are meat eaters.

birds go nuts when they are about.

Thanks, didn't know their name. They are found in Australia as well which surprised me.

16 hours ago, giddyup said:

Thanks, didn't know their name. They are found in Australia as well which surprised me.

6am sat.morning and the birds are making one hell of a noise,my dog doesnt like em at all,so he is having a good HOWL.

I have seen a pair of Streak-eyed Bulbuls dismantle a Purple Sunbird's nest to use it for their own nest material..  No sentiment in the bird world.

 

BTW, Koels are parasitic, hosted by mynahs, in particular the Collared Starling.  In my area the Collared Starling is so numerous that we can do without some.  But so is the Koel!

Changing the subject slightly, I've always been impressed by the intelligence/ingenuity shown by crows.

 

They use my garden bird bath to wash the bits of fish they've found, presumably to lessen the salt and dirt content?  Telling a friend about this, she said that she'd seen a crow drown a mouse in a puddle/bird bath - which whilst not exactly endearing, shows intelligence.

7 hours ago, meatboy said:

6am sat.morning and the birds are making one hell of a noise,my dog doesnt like em at all,so he is having a good HOWL.

And entirely off topic (sorry), its funny the things that make some dogs howl.  I had a dog that used to howl at the ice-cream van 'music' and when some notes were played on an electronic keyboard.

 

Presumably its certain notes/keys/audio frequencies (pitches) that cause them to howl?