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Dominance


Dominance
Photo Information
Copyright: Irmgard Kaiser (kessi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 88 W: 5 N: 76] (221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi, Tamron SP AF200-500mm f/5-6,3 Di LD [IF]
Exposure: f/8, 1/25 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-28 9:42
Viewed: 619
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Redwinged Starling Onychognathus morio Family STURNIDAE. A well-known family of frugivorous and insectivorous birds with strong, slightly arched bills and strong legs. Many species form flocks, especially when roosting. Their calls consist of
various pleasant loud whistles, the most frequent being a drawn-out 'spreeooo'. Pairs and flocks frequent cliffs, caves or buildings.

Reference: Newman's Birds of Southern Africa

I noticed these two starlings chasing each other and then squabbling on the grass. Then the one held down the other for about five minutes during which time they never moved, except for the dominant one peering around.
They ignored me and my camera. After a while I couldn't bear it anymore and clapped my hands. This made them fly off with the one chasing the other. I would think that it was a fight over a female, although at the time I did not notice one nearby.

Technical: Shot in RAW. Sharpened and resized for upload.
smitha, OHara, anel, jmp, angybone has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To angybone: Thank youkessi 1 09-30 12:53
To jmp: Thank youkessi 1 09-30 10:21
To anel: Intriguing behaviourkessi 1 09-30 09:31
To Nephrotome2: The thought crossed my mindkessi 1 09-30 01:25
To smitha: Fascinating behaviourkessi 1 09-30 00:54
To daveman: Very surekessi 1 09-29 15:09
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Irmgard,
Good shot showing the behavior of birds. Good notes too. I wonder why the supeior one was showing dominance over the other. May be as you said, it might be over a female or over food.
TFS,
Smitha.

This is a well known position, extensively described in the Kamasutra (p27).
Seriously, you captured a very strange and unusual scene. Strange too that they remained so long like this. Bird fights are usually hard and short.
Technically perfect: shot from a low angle, with nice pale grass which reinforce the beauty of the bird feathers.
TFS
JM

Are you sure it was male on male?

Dave

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1115 W: 0 N: 1829] (7816)
  • [2007-09-29 4:20]
  • [+]

hello Irmgard,
A very interesting document, your picture. I have observed almost the same scene with ravens and I did the same as you after a while and clapped my hands.
Best regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2007-09-29 7:30]
  • [+]

Hi Irmgard,
A intriguing document about the behaviour of this starling. Great pose and pov to illustrate the history.
TFS, José M.

What a wonderfully fascinating shot! Its a behavior I've never witnessed. I'm glad you took the opportunity to capture this and share it with us. Great shot!!!

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