AUS Birders,
Our resident BB Rail ( which has been seen around our garden area since July 15) is very intrigued with snakes. We have a couple of Red-Bellied snakes around the place which we know about by the alarm calls of Fairy-Wrens and Scubwrens. On 2 occassions, we have seen the B-B Rail follow the snake keeping only a few inches away while it can see it. Yesterday (13/10) the snake had gone into a thick area where the Rail could not see it. The Rail anticipated where it might reappear and hurried around the area waiting for it to show, which indeed it did. It’s been fascinating to watch this activity.
The Rail has become much less timid since we first observed it. One can generally walk around and it does not bother to move and goes on feeding. It is a very relaxing bird to watch as it methodically works over an area.
Dean Cutten
Victor Harbor, SA
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A watched predator is a safe predator. Think of stock when you approach their paddock.
Regards, Alan
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Hi Dean,
I can remember witnessing this behaviour many years ago at Mango Hill (Brisbane northern suburb), albeit with a smaller non lethal snake – Common (Green) Tree Snake. This is the first time I can recall someone else mentioning this behaviour. Thanks for sharing the observation.
Gavin Goodyear
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Hi Dean,
Saw something very similar last Sunday at Samsonvale Cemetery (SE Qld). Marie and I were waiting for a Spotless Crake to reappear on the edge of a small wetland and I noticed a large snake (probably an Eastern Brown) moving slowly under the lantana. Whilst trying to point the snake out to Marie I noticed a Buff-banded Rail walking purposely behind it, obviously aware of the snakes presence. Unfortunately we didn’t see the outcome of the encounter but I felt that the rail was actively ‘stalking’ it’s mortal enemy.
Tom Tarrant