Frequency and behavioural accounts of interspecific interactions between a breeding pair of Eastern Ospreys Pandion haliaetus cristatus and other bird

Abstract

Eastern Ospreys Pandion haliaetus cristatus at a nest in Kingscliff, New South Wales, were observed over three mornings, during which five bird species were recorded in interspecific interactions. Activity across observation periods ranged from 9.3 to 23.3 interactions per hour. The Torresian Crow Corvus orru was involved in 77% of interactions, mostly Crows and Ospreys eyeing each other from close stationary positions, though Crows investigating the nest, swooping on Ospreys and chasing them in flight were also recorded. In other interactions, Willie Wagtails Rhipidura leucophrys were recorded swooping Ospreys, eyeing them at close proximity, and investigating their nest, and Magpie-larks Grallina cyanoleuca were recorded descending on the nest and swooping on Ospreys. Only two interactions involved the Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis, in which an individual investigated the Osprey nest. Only one interaction involved an Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen, in which a Magpie flying past the nest was briefly pursued by an Osprey.