Rival’s Move
Do not think that birds are happy go lucky creatures, you must remember that they live in the wild, that includes your backyards, plush communities, sumptuous mansions and modern condominiums.
It’s a tough life they live with danger lurking in every corner as we say. The moment they assume the responsibility to care for themselves it becomes a great task to go day by day looking for nourishment, whether foraging for seeds or hunting for bugs. Keep in mind that they are also part of the scheme of things dictated by Nature where hunters also get hunted, prey needs to eat so does the predator.
The genes also rule in the birds life, as soon as they mature the urge to find a mate kicks in_ They must mate to preserve the continuation of their own species!
Here’s when their main attention is driven to proclaim a mate and initiate a new family that will help complete the cycle and so on to the future generations.
Each species have their own rituals in order to woo the potential mate. Some birds display their ability to dance, others strut their splendid plumage, there are birds that demonstrate their abilities to build nests, or their flying skills, sing complex songs and calls, while some birds will take a more direct approach and prefer challenging the rivals.
It may never get any further that intimidation and staring each other until one backs out or could get bloody.
Today I’m have a series of pictures of two male Brown-headed Cowbirds challenging each other for the vulnerable female. It wasn’t a bloody encounter, just a staring contest instead…fortunately!
Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101











Meanwhile we are doing a campaign here to save life of birds by keeping a pot full of water in as all main junctions of our city, p.s it’s 45C here
That’s very commendable of your people I thank you for that.Any bit of help done many amounts to abundance and health. 🙂
I love the pictures you take and what you write makes for interesting reading.
Thank you Susan, I appreciate that! 🙂
I think we are prone to forget what a dangerous world it is for all birds and animals. Thank-you for the reminder!
Thank you for reading my post Clare. We should not think about ourselves only, we aren’t the only ones living in this planet. 🙂
Your cowbirds have such an amazingly … airworthy shape ! So smooth, from head to tail ! 🙂
Yes, their body shape is sleek and they are good fliers. 🙂
Easily recognisable even as a pure silhouette. I mean, *I* could say “that’s a cowbird !”. 😀
That is correct! You’re learning fast, smart cookie! 🙂
Dunno about ‘fast’, HJ ! – but show me a cowbird enough times and I’ll eventually catch on. [grin]
You never admit anything! That’s ok! 🙂
Right now I shall readily admit that I’m hungry: 7:30 and time for brekky !!! Yaaaaay !
See yer later, mate !
I figured that! You usually get my ass chewed and then have your brekky! 🙂
You’ve got 700 followers now!!!!!! 😀
I’ve just noticed! Thanks Belle! Let’s go for the 1000! Then we celebrate. 🙂
but 700 is so much considering I only have 7 😉
I started at 1 too,
I know! 😀 oh I’ve got a question too (sorry I keep bothering you) what is the widget in beetween categorizes and archives?
It’s hard to beat a little bird staring contest. I enjoyed this one.
🙂
Love this, H.J! Cute, but also very informative!
Thanks Amy! 🙂