The Wars of the Birds

Birds are cute--sure. But look at how they treat each other. Little monsters.

Birds competing for food at the feeder

These are Pine Siskins, and they are constantly jockeying with each other for a perch at the feeder. But it’s much more than jockeying; it’s a serious effort to attach, scare, and intimidate. Take a look at the situation a moment after the photo above.

Yeah, sure. Birds are cute. Cute little cut-throat bastards. They don’t just do this to each other; they also try to intimidate the finches…

Sony 200-600 lens at 467mm focal length. ISO 800, f/10, 1/1250th second exposures.