While waiting for signs that the Kestrels were working on raising a family in the Block of Flats, I witnessed a few skirmishes in what seemed to be a serious territorial dispute. And it wasn’t the other residents of the Block who were the aggressors, but a bunch of Currawongs — the pied variety (Strepera graculina), with white bits on the wings and tail.

Currawongs look a bit like crows or ravens, but they are only distantly related to these corvids. What they share with their distant relatives, though, is their intelligence and strong territoriality. And most worryingly, they are omnivorous, with their menu including the nestlings of other birds.

Here, while the female sits high up in the branches toward the end of the day, this aggressive individual made a few intimidating close passes at her. She didn’t seem to mind too much, though. So the Currawong tried a bit of a staring match which went on for some time — there aren’t photos as it’s pretty static, although you have to admire the Kestrel’s determination to turn the other cheek (click on the pics to get more detail.)

So the pied pest tried a few more aerobatic displays to see if it could dislodge the stoic raptor. So far, apart from flinching a bit, our Kestrel remained stoic.

But eventually, she tired of the abuse and slipped swiftly from the branch into the safety of the nest hole. And the aggressive ‘Wong followed in quite a threatening manner.

After this, the female Kestrel started hanging out in a little spot lower down the tree, perhaps as a way of being closer to the nest. Although I had no way of knowing, perhaps the nest now contained eggs that needed protecting.

But although the Currawongs are large and aggressive, there’s no underestimating the courage of a parent whose brood is threatened.

And indeed, now the chicks are hatched, the Currawongs are showing a gruesome interest in them — although either they’re shouting back — like their mother above — or they’re hoping for food from every feathered shape that lands above their nest.

I’ve seen more interaction between the Currawongs and Kestrels since these pics were taken and it’s fascinating. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to capture, as it involves aerial manoeuvring at high speed, and my skills aren’t up to capturing it. But if I manage, I have some theories for you. Watch this space!