Born On A Cusp

I love these stories. Give me a page off the news, whether print or online, and my attention will invariably be called far more quickly by this sort of news than all other stories in there.

Who wants to read about politics when I can read about how desperate staff at a cultural landmark in Melbourne, Australia, are using the help of an eagle called Zorro to scare away cockatoos flocking to the tower and consequently causing damage? The second is far more interesting. Reminds you of the elemental struggle of humans with nature. And here with a twist. Then immediately it gives you a mental image of an eagle (could have a mask on, for it’s called Zorro!), perched on top of a piece of Melbourne’s pride, looking mean and nasty and scaring off the smaller birds.

The report is from BBC. This is Melbourne’s Arts Centre.

Eagle guards Melbourne landmark

Staff at a Melbourne landmark have resorted to unusual methods to try to prevent damage to their building – a wedge-tailed eagle called Zorro.

They hope Zorro’s presence on the roof of the city’s Arts Centre will scare away white cockatoos that have been attacking its iconic tower.

The flocks of cockatoos have been pecking at the tiny lights that illuminate the 163-metre spire.

So far they have caused more than US$63,000 (£32,000) worth of damage.

Zorro will also be joined by a peregrine falcon named Bibi and the two birds will be brought to the building every day for the next six weeks as a trial.

“Cockatoos are part of their prey, so it’s a natural solution,” Arts Centre spokesman Jeremy Vincent told the French news agency AFP.

“The cockatoos aren’t hurt, because the predators are tethered to the building, but their presence on the building acts as a deterrent.”

A handler will also be present to monitor Bibi and Zorro while they are on the roof of the Arts Centre.

So far the two birds of prey were keeping the cockatoos away, Mr Vincent said, but they were also attracting groups of tourists.

Cockatoos are parrot-like birds known for their destructive habits.