Robins Fighting

[Cetti]

These two were so intent on killing the other this afternoon they were oblivious to my camera.

They do fight to the death but this ended happily with the victor singing and the other flying off, both exhausted but unscathed.

http://i19.tinypic.com/2qbagbc.jpg http://i18.tinypic.com/44uc86r.jpg http://i17.tinypic.com/42jb9jq.jpg http://i17.tinypic.com/43dxv83.jpg http://i19.tinypic.com/400dt35.jpg

[britannia74]

Amazing pictures Cetti!!
Have you witnessed anything like this before?
Glad it finished on a good note.In the past we have had Robins getting territorial on our bird feeders but lately things have been a lot more calmer. Just the squirrels we need to sort out now any tips??

[B00]

Blimey, how ferocious does that look huh? Very good (if perhaps rather macabre- heh!) pics Cetti

[Lonnie]

Cetti, incredible pictures, you deserve a big vote of thanks, for posting them, I reckon you should also send them to the RSPB for publishing them in their magazine, you could even win an award for them, you deserve it.

[Lonnie]

Just an add on, hope you don't mind, i've copied the photo's, If you'd rather I didn't. say so, and i'll delete them, no problem.

[Thunderbird+]

Good action shots Cetti, in the top pic it appears that one is going staight for the jugular.
I've seen this kind of behaviour before in the spring but mostly with bluetits, I can never resist stepping in to break it up by clapping my hands or something even though I do understand, it's all part of nature.
In the depth's of winter I remember counting 8 robins in my garden, they seem to tolerate eachothers company then without any agression.
I'm glad it ended without a fatality. All the Best. Tbird+

[Cetti]

It's the first time I've seen this behaviour - and had a camera, so it's mostly luck. Pic 2 is not a good shot but it does show the sheer exhaustion quite vividly.

My husband watched a pair last year locked in combat. They were rolling around pecking with such vigour both were covered in blood, but again both managed to fly away after resting.

Lonnie, of course I don't mind. I just enjoy sharing them with you all.

[garner]

What great pictures Cetti and I agree with Lonnie why not submit them to RSPB Im sure they would use them in one of their issues...Great stuff

[hammerman]

WOW !!!...superb pics. Robins are highly terratorial and two males will occasionally fight to the death.

Never seen this with blue tits though...always seen them as highly gregarious social birds which are usually found in large numbers.

[Metz]

Great pics Cetti, what camera do you use?

[pmjblue]

amazing piccies - you should send them somewhere to be published. Never heard of robins fighting before, will have to ask my husband as he reads a lot on birds. Me being me though, I would probably have gone out and split them up !!

[hammerman]

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/robin.htm

Read down a bit about Robins fighting to the death.

They're evil swines i tell yer !!!

[lindapinda]

Well done Cetti !! As Lonnie suggested,you should contact the RSPB with your pics.I'm amazed you were able to get soo close.I'm sure there were loads of wee feathers left lying about afterwards!!

[Cetti]

What can I say - these were only posted as a matter of interest to any passing 'birdy' people and not as anything special. Now I doubt whether I will even have a reply but with so much encouragement I have just emailed them to Bird Watching magazine.

My camera is an Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom. I've had it 3 years and still only on page 2 of the manual :-)

[lindapinda]

Oooh,fingers crossed for suitable recognition of your amazing pics Cetti ;-)

[wildwood]

Great pics Cetti!

In the second one it looks like they are both having a 'recharge' laying on their side.

I am glad I am not a robin.

[Jules001]

amazing pics Cetti, thanks for sharing, I have never seen anything like this, only the robins in my garden getting a bit territorial over the food and chasing away blue tits.