When a bird encroached on another’s hunting spot, feathers flew as the pair engaged in an intense battle. When it was over, the pair acted as if nothing had happened.
Claudia Apfelthaler submitted this intense footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it on the S114, at the Biyamiti loop, in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Feathers flying
Claudia told Latest Sightings that she was watching a black stork on the riverbank when another one landed next to it. Subsequently, when the feathers started to fly, Claudia started filming.
While these birds are not known for their aggression, the battle was likely over access to food. As Claudia said, “I was surprised at the attack, but soon realized there was probably a whole territorial thing going on between these birds.”
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Things get serious
As the birds continued to fight, one of them managed to force its beak between the other’s upper and lower mandibles. And that’s when things started to get serious.
As you can imagine, with such a sharp bill, the risk of injury to both was substantial.
Advantage or disadvantage?
Subsequently, the bird on the right pushed the tip of its beak into the throat of the other stork.
However, as the other bird was above it, it seemed to maintain the advantage.
Risk of injury
However, possibly due to the pain it was causing its rival, the bird managed to wrestle its way upwards.
Meanwhile, at risk of being stabbed in its throat, the other bird had no choice but to yield. It goes without saying that an injury to its delicate throat membrane could have serious implications.
Submission
Consequently, the now dominant bird was able to force its rival into a very uncomfortable position.
As for the other bird, there was very little it could do to repel the attack. Its only option was to submit and hope that the attack would end soon.
Whether or not this tactic is common among storks is unknown. That said, it is certainly effective.
No matter which way the besieged bird moved, the other stork continued to press home its advantage.
Free at last
Eventually, the stork managed to duck away and dislodge the other bird’s bill from its throat.
Relieved to be free of what must have been a very painful experience, it immediately fled into the stream.
Meanwhile, the victor immediately resumed its search for food hidden in the reeds along the riverbank.
Thankfully, the defeated bird seemed none the worse for wear. Soon, peace returned to the river, with both birds careful not to encroach on the space of the other.
FUN FACT: Did you know that the black storks in southern Africa are non-migratory, while those found north of the equator migrate between northern Africa and Europe?