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dead heat for missing fish

This is a scene from a 13-second dead-heat for a fish between a Yellow-billed Stork and an African Spoonbill. The fish was initially held by the Spoonbill, but the Yellow-billed Stork persistently chased it through the air. During the struggle, the Spoonbill dropped the fish into the sea twice, and both birds landed on the water each time to search for the fallen fish. On the first occasion, the Spoonbill found it again, grabbed it, and fled, but the second time, a Great White Pelican joined in, turning the situation into a large-scale battle. However, the final winner was a Hartlaub’s Gull, which had also been quietly following the Spoonbill. Without the Stork or Spoonbill noticing, it snatched the fish and flew away.

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Uploaded on September 7, 2024
Taken on August 22, 2024