The Bum Pinching Bird

There are so many differences between Australia and England and one we were discussing recently was the bird life.  Even after two years I'm still awed by the tropical birds that I see on a day to day basis.  Rainbow lorikeets, galahs, cockatoos, pelicans.  Colourful and vocal creatures that light up the sky.  I won't talk about the scary-ass raven who stalks me as that's another story and I think he's watching me now.  The most surreal thing I've seen was three red parrots in the middle of a lightning storm.  They were sat on top of a lamppost and seemed to be revelling in the pouring rain, washing themselves and ruffling their feathers.  With lightning illuminating a red sky they almost looked otherworldly.  That and the fact that I'd just got off a long haul flight from England and had awoken from a weird afternoon nap.  That probably made it even more bizarre.  But wonderful.  Now a bird that seems common to the Sydney area and pictured with today's post is what I've recently discovered is called a White Ibis.  They're quite large birds and have these really long black beaks.  Officially known as the White Ibis.  More commonly known - by me anyway - as the bum pinching birds.  Bum pinching birds!  I remember heading off to do an expo with Mystical Roo, Monster Noggin and Bob-A-Roony.  We arrived in Sydney early and so stopped outside the exhibition centre to get a coffee and some breakfast.  It was a glorious day so we sat outside, Monster Noggin and I on one side of a bench and Mystical Roo and Bob-A-Roony on the other side.  The bum pinching bird in question was very interested in our breakfast and was not shy about coming over to the table and patiently waiting for scraps.  But after it had taken it's share of whatever it was we'd been eating it then decided it wanted more.  And it wasn't going to take no for an answer.  It came right up to me and kind of nudged my leg.  I thought it was being cute!  But no.  It was going for the butt!  I turned my attention away for just a moment and the next thing I know the thing had nipped me on the butt with it's beak.  Well that's no way to get what you want.  Naughty bird.  But it was very persistent.  And actually quite large.  I was unsure of whether to shoo it away or just ignore it.  I don't think I actually held any authority with that bird and my shoos were ignored.  I think I might have asked Mystical Roo to defend my honour but I seem to remember him laughing.  Honestly!  But it wasn't just me the bum pinching bird was harassing.  After scuttling off he soon returned; this time to inflict his torment on Monster Noggin who got a bum pinching of her own.  This bird obviously had an eye for the ladies as he didn't go anywhere near Mystical Roo or Bob-A-Roony.  Bloody bum pinching bird.  So I guess the moral of this story is don't feed the bum pinching birds.