Czarnoszyje szczudłaki walczą o terytorium
EN_01623934_0506
Ruffling up the pecking order! A pair of black-necked stilts come to a head while grazing in a marshland. These rare birds were spotted fighting over their territory in Orlando Florida, USA.
Software engineer, Jake Landing, 60 said, “These birds are very defensive, they will circle over intruders and diving at them while vocalizing loudly.”
“I watched multiple pairs of stilts start chasing, biting, and pushing each other on the ground or into the water. They will take a short break once in a while, but resume the fight afterwards.”
Please byline: @jakelanding/Solent News
© @jakelanding/Solent News & Photo Agency
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*** Local Caption *** When and where were these shots taken? The papers often ask for specific dates and locations and we would need to be able to provide this information upon request.
Jun 7 2024, Orlando FL
Are black-necked terns common here? Are they a sub species of tern that is rarer?
Each year, these birds migrate to FL from Feburary to August and start nesting in March or April. According to FL Fish & Wildlife document, they are rare and irregular breeder in certain parts of FL. They are stilts, and are more closely related to American Avocet.
Can you describe what is happening in these images? Why are the birds fighting, is it over a mate, food, territory?
These birds are highly territorial, and they are fearless in defense of the nest. Since they have young babies at the time of the shooting, it maybe that they are fighting for the territory, food resource, or defending the offspring.
Can you give us an insight into the moments leading up to this as well as directly after?
These birds are very defensive, they will circle over intruders and diving at them while vocalizing loudly. So in order to capture their common behaviors, I positioned myself further away from the nesting area, so that they don't feel threatened and focus their attention on me. Once they feel I'm no threat, multiple pairs of stilts started the behaviors of chasing, biting, and pushing each other on the ground or into the water. They will take a short break once in a while, but resume the fight afterwards.
How were you able to capture these images?
I lay low and use tripod with 600mm + x2 extender, so it's total of 1200mm to capture the action.
Is there any more information you would like us to include?
No
And finally, has anything changed since we last put out a set for you? WOuld you still like the byline, Jake Landing, 60, Software Engineer?
Please put Jake Landing into one word as @jakelanding is my IG handle. Others are OK.
2024-08-01
@jakelanding/Solent News & Photo Agency/Solent News/East News
Solent News
@jakelanding/Solent News & Photo Agency
SN_STILT_SQUABBLE_06
2,17MB
23cm x 16cm przy 300dpi
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