Eagle guards Melbourne landmark

Cockatoos are well known for damaging things with their beaks

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.