Grey Phalarope
Grey Phalarope / phalaropus fulicarius. Titchwell, Norfolk.
'NOT WHAT IT SEEMS.'
This image is deceptive!
You could easily assume that the Black-tailed Godwit was pecking the Grey Phalarope. Wrong!
The feisty little passage migrant clearly resented the BTG encroaching into its feeding spot and moved in fearlessly. Just look at the body/beak size differences!
It had already attacked the BTG's left flank. Here it is swimming rapidly (hence motion blur), round the front of the bigger bird who merely raised its beak a little and made no contact.
Once the Grey Phalarope had got on the righthand side, it started to jab and peck into the BTG's breast. Once again, the godwit did not retaliate, just turned its head in surprise. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the right position to catch the aggressive action ... it would have made a very dynamic behavioural image I think.
Grey Phalarope
Grey Phalarope / phalaropus fulicarius. Titchwell, Norfolk.
'NOT WHAT IT SEEMS.'
This image is deceptive!
You could easily assume that the Black-tailed Godwit was pecking the Grey Phalarope. Wrong!
The feisty little passage migrant clearly resented the BTG encroaching into its feeding spot and moved in fearlessly. Just look at the body/beak size differences!
It had already attacked the BTG's left flank. Here it is swimming rapidly (hence motion blur), round the front of the bigger bird who merely raised its beak a little and made no contact.
Once the Grey Phalarope had got on the righthand side, it started to jab and peck into the BTG's breast. Once again, the godwit did not retaliate, just turned its head in surprise. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the right position to catch the aggressive action ... it would have made a very dynamic behavioural image I think.