Birdlet's 13 clutch fledged one week ago. All was initially well with 2 very active chicks. Bird (father) and Birdlet (mom) were both devotedly feeding them at first. Then Bird stopped as he was preoccupied defending his territory. Very distressingly, another male Shama was coming into the heart of the territory and Bird was frantic to eject him. When it finally flew away he was apparently amped up and viscously attacked Birdlet (the mom ) while she was attempting to feed the chicks. Was this re-directed aggression? Or is he now getting older and either mentally or physically unable to tell who she is? Oddly, just days before that he was allowing her to eat at the same time in the kitchen, which he does not do in non-breeding season. This time, instead of deferring to him, she fought back in order to continue to care for her chicks. And then, sadly she disappeared the next day. Being a very devoted mother who was coming into the kitchen 5 times plus per day for mealworms and also finding outside foods, she is presumed dead. She would not have abandoned or ignored the peeping of these chicks. While it could have been a toxin, it is likely she was killed by Bird, her mate.
The future does not look bright for the chicks. Bird is NOT feeding them.
Oddly (to us humans) there now appears to be 5 male Shamas in the lower forest area of our yard who are singing loudly. Are they auditioning for a female or having a vocal debate on who deserves to take over from Bird? Bird came into the kitchen for his meal then flew straight out instead of around his territory. He went up Maunawili Road. Has he been displaced? So troubling.
We have befriended this pair and over 30 chicks over 3 years. The pair came faithfully every day for mealworms. Every day. Often 5 times a day one or the other would be sitting on Don's hand enjoying a rest and a meal. Now there is no Birdlet.
This is so sad and we are in mourning.
Has anyone else observed a male Shama attacking his mate?
