Strong Leadership Works

Lately I’ve noticed that in the course of the days, most bird juveniles are beginning to organize in groups, I can only imagine that the position of leader has to be filled in order to encounter the world and adulthood. I was observing and shooting pictures of a group of Brown-headed Cowbird juveniles, males and females, most of the males were showing patches of the adult plumage (Black body, brown head).

This group was feeding but at the same time were kind of unruly… there were some quarrels among them. That’s when I saw the strong young male challenge the rowdy females that were not complying to eating peacefully. Without going to extremes and fight, the male stood up and stared with hard determination to the challenger like saying “ Cut it out now or else, you hear!” After a crucial face to face, the female conceded defeat. The male was accepted as leader and the group bowed. Soon after the new leader decided to fly off all the rest followed him expediently.

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Tags: birds, Brown-Headed Cowbird, nature, photography, photos of birds

21 thoughts on “Strong Leadership Works”

mvschulze on August 8, 2014 at 8:54 am said:

Beautifully portrayed. Their “expressions” seem so telling!

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- avian101 on August 8, 2014 at 9:20 am said:
  
  Thanks a lot M.! 🙂
  
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Jet Eliot on August 8, 2014 at 10:33 am said:

It’s always fun to peek into the world of other creatures. Fun post, thanks HJ. 🙂

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- avian101 on August 8, 2014 at 12:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jet! I appreciate your comments! 🙂
  
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Dina on August 8, 2014 at 11:58 am said:

Great storytelling with your camera, HJ! Wonderful captures.

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- avian101 on August 8, 2014 at 12:09 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Dina! 🙂
  
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susanpoozan on August 8, 2014 at 12:16 pm said:

Very well observed and most interesting.

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- avian101 on August 8, 2014 at 12:24 pm said:
  
  Thank you Susan! 🙂
  
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clarepooley33 on August 8, 2014 at 2:58 pm said:

I agree whole-heartedly with Susan! Good shots of these young birds.

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- avian101 on August 8, 2014 at 3:25 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Clare! 🙂
  
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Lisa Rest on August 8, 2014 at 5:12 pm said:

Great shots, and what fun to be able to watch so many cowbirds figure out who they are now that they’ve sprung from the surrogate parents. I suspect that the hierarchy at this stage is age-related, though. In my experience at least when birds mature, the females have the upper hand. But guys are into hierarchy anyway… 🙂

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- avian101 on August 8, 2014 at 5:30 pm said:
  
  It’s too complex to generalize because of the variety of species in my opinion.
  But I could say like a good macho and dominant alpha male human… Yes dear! 🙂
  Thanks Lisa!
  
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  - Lisa Rest on August 8, 2014 at 5:34 pm said:
    
    The girls are in control, they just do it in a way you don’t notice. 🙂
tootlepedal on August 8, 2014 at 7:12 pm said:

Good observation and fine pictures.

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- avian101 on August 8, 2014 at 7:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you Tom! 🙂
  
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belleskittencorner on August 9, 2014 at 2:47 pm said:

beautiful photos!
😉

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- avian101 on August 9, 2014 at 2:49 pm said:
  
  Thanks Belle! 🙂
  
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45DegreesNorth on August 9, 2014 at 9:42 pm said:

Fascinating, H.J! Thank you for your keen observations and great photos!

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- avian101 on August 9, 2014 at 11:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot Amy! 🙂
  
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Aquileana on August 12, 2014 at 10:20 pm said:

Such a lovely post, dear HJ… I love this gallery, my friend.
Thank you very much for sharing. Happy day to you,
Aquileana 😀

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- avian101 on August 12, 2014 at 10:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot my dear Aquileana. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
  
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