Eagle eyes all over Melbourne Park

Since 2007 all eyes have been glued to the Australian Open’s video line-calling system but in 2009 hawk eyes of a different kind have been drawing the crowd’s attention.

Two impressive looking wedge-tailed eagles have been touring the Melbourne Park grounds entertaining and educating the public.

The eagles, a five kilogram female called Sabrina and a three and a half kilogram male called Zorro, have developed a huge fan base since debuting at the event two weeks ago.

The birds wear leather hoods covering their eyes while mingling with the public to prevent them from getting stressed and are incredibly tame, calmly allowing people to stroke their red-brown feathers.

Their keeper, Graeme Coles of Full Flight Birds of Prey, says it’s a valuable opportunity for locals to familiarise themselves with some of Australia’s indigenous wildlife.

“The first question that we get asked is always ‘what are they’?” explains Coles. “A lot of people in Australia live in cities and don’t get to see a bird like this in their lifetime.

“The response has been ginourmous and it gives us a chance to promote our education centre in Flemington. Lots of children and teachers have shown an interest in having the birds visit their schools after seeing them this fortnight.”

The birds appear incredibly attached to their keepers, perhaps not surprising when you consider that they also form lifelong monogamous partnerships with members of their own species.

“This bird is 10 years old, I have handled her all her life and she has really bonded with me,” says Coles. “Other people can handle the birds but they really don’t like it too much and they seem to prefer the one keeper so we try to mix it up a bit and keep them guessing.”

Because of the number of people attending the Australian Open the birds don’t fly around while out and about in public areas. But when they aren’t meeting their fans, Sabrina and Zoro also have a secondary function at the tournament, helping to keep local sea gulls and pigeons away from the show courts where they might leave unmentionable marks.

It’s quite foreign for people at an event like this to bowl up and see birds like this and some people can be fearful, believe it or not there is a phobia for birds like this,” says Coles, “but generally people are interested and intrigued.”