Clash of the Common Sandpipers

posted in: Feeding strategy, Waders | 4

“A pair of Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) was observed in August 2009 having a squabble at Seletar Mudflat. Before this picture was taken they were chasing each other over the mudflat for a good two minutes. Then everything got heated up and they starting fighting with their feet. The fight ended when one was pinned down momentarily by the victor!”

Tan Tze Siong
Singapore
18th December 2009

Note:
An earlier post shows a pair of usually peaceful Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) fighting over a feeding territory. The birds usually indulge in a “mandibular clash” using their long bills to settle a territorial dispute. In the above image the two Common Sandpipers are confronting each other using their feet, and most probably also their bills.

4 Responses

  1. Dean Leh

    “The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is Imagination itself. (William Blake, 1799, The Letters)

    “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.” (John Muir)

    Your nature blog is quite inspirational and fascinating. I look forward to following you!

    http://deanleh.blogspot.com/

    Dean Leh

  2. Twitter Trackbacks for Bird Ecology Study Group » Clash of the Common Sandpipers [talfrynature.com] on Topsy.com

    […] Bird Ecology Study Group » Clash of the Common Sandpipers besgroup.talfrynature.com/2009/12/21/clash-of-the-common-sandpipers – view page – cached “A pair of Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) was observed in August 2009 having a squabble at Seletar Mudflat. Before this picture was taken they were chasing each other over the mudflat for a good two minutes. Then everything got heated up and they starting fighting with their feet. The fight ended when one was pinned down momentarily by the victor!” […]

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