Attack!! by CavalierLady
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Description
Last week I managed to photograph the Mother Mississippi Kite attempting to return to the nest to feed her new baby chick. I have witnessed this many times, but the Mama Kite has to fly so quickly to avoid attack, it is pure dumb luck that I managed to get a decent shot. I found the reason for the vicious attacks of the Western Kingbirds - they have a nest in the same tree! Talk about quarreling neighbors!
To see the details, check the zoom view.
1. Upper Left - Mama Kite has a huge insect in her mouth.
2. Upper Right - Both Western Kingbird parents attack the Kite. If you look close, you can see that the front Western Kingbird is actually pecking the Kite. (Note: I have taken hundreds of Western Kingbird shots and this is the first time I have ever seen the Red Crown Patch on the head!)
3. Bottom Left: This goes on for 10 or 15 minutes and finally the Mama Kite swoops in towards her nest, with one Kingbird just above her.
4. Bottom Right - Mama Kite finally settles down to feed her chick. I can see the head of the chick between her beak and the top of the nest. Probably needs zoom so you can see it too.
This activity goes on every day, all day. The Kingbirds even dive bomb the mother Kite while she is in the nest. Yesterday I saw Papa Mississippi Kite fly in, deliver the insect to the Mother and immediately leave again. He didn't fare any better than his mate as he was "chased" away with angry chirps, hot on his tail.
Many songbirds will attack any Bird of Prey that they consider a threat to their eggs and new hatchlings. I've seen Mockingbirds, Robins, Kingbirds, Redbirds and Blue Jays chasing after these Kites, ever diligent in their duty to protect their own young.
Thank you very kindly for all your recent views, comments and faves.
Comments (18)
ichtvan
Great shots you did there !!! Waiting for the continuation of this difficult cohabitation.
durleybeachbum
Marvellous photos, Maria!
taliesin86001
Fantastic captures! I too, am spending a lot of time watching nature play out her dramas...wish I would have paid more attention when I was younger.
Cyve
Beautifuul shots.
Adobe_One_Kenobi
What a good idea to wait it all out and record it through the lens Maria. That is dedication to the cause, my hat is off to you.
TranxG
Fantastic captures. You should try filming the whole action.
X-PaX
Very nice collage. Well done.
DennisReed
cool
kgb224
Superb captures and collage Maria. God bless.
FredNunes
Amazing work!
helanker
Absolutely fantastic, You have really cought them beautifully, WOW! What a drama.
MrsRatbag
Wow, dramatic series; life is rough in the treetops!
Richardphotos
outstanding captures.I am impressed. I seen a very small bird today with some red on it's throat like a robin, but the stomach area was pure white while the back was brown or black
goodoleboy
OMG, fighters attacking cargo planes. An avian reprise of World War II. Really interesting information, Maria, along with these stellar and startling captures of war above and in the trees. Nature, red of tooth and claw.
sharky_
Interesting battles in the neighborhood. Excellent capture. Aloha
rachris480907
Amazing capture! And definitely worth a zoom to see it in detail. Very interesting text to go with these shots. Excellent work!
Hendesse
Fantastic collage of excellent and interesting photographs. You're doing that so very well!
danapommet
A fantastic collage Maria. Survival of the fittest. We have a neighborhood Osprey that can pick a duckling out of the water without getting wet yet when she gets near one of the trees, where the songbirds have nested, they attach in the same manner but they seem to be trying to pull out the Osprey's tail feathers.