Variable oystercatcher and banded rail interaction

[Raewyn]

I have just posted a shorter version of this on iNaturalist and thought the behaviour might be of interest here too so have added in a bit more detail.

We have had a trip up north and stayed a night each way at Ruakaka Beach Holiday Park. When camped at the sites along the top of the bank above the mangroves there is great viewing of the banded rails that live in the mangroves. We don't get a sighting every time we stay there, but this season has been great. Babies in November and now they are fledged and the family is active.

This time there were a total of 5 banded rails feeding at low tide between the creek and the mangroves. Most stayed nearer the mangroves, but one bird was out in the open near the VOC family at the estuary end of the creek. What I found interesting was that the banded rail seemed to feel secure when near the VOCs, even though they chased it when it came too close (the VOCs still have their babies "at foot"). The VOCs clearly tolerated the rail to a point - it would eventually get chased back into the adjacent rushes. Then a few minutes later would quietly work its way back again to where the VOCs were relaxing and feeding. The cycle repeated several times.

Another note I made was that when a rail alarm call sounded from within the mangroves, all the rails ran for cover but the VOCs just looked up (ie responded to the alarm) but couldn't see a threat so carried on their activity. Sometime later a black backed gull flew over and the rails again ran for cover but the VOCs ignored it. Each time the rails ran for cover, they came out again within about 5 minutes.

[Jim_j]

Interesting - thanks for posting Raewyn

Cheers
Jim