An Amazing Fight Between 2 Mockingbirds

by Steve Creek on October 11, 2010 · 20 comments

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

Fighting Mockingbirds

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

Mockingbirds Fighting

This was the longest bird fight I think I ever witnessed. The last photo shows the one Mockingbird being held down for a 10 count.

{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Michel Rondeau October 11, 2010

Were was the referee all that time?
Great series Steve

2 Bill October 11, 2010

Territory battles can be extreme even with small birds. A reminder that dominance is a major player in the natural world. I’d like to think humans are beyond that but that would be foolish.

3 Lili Feldman October 11, 2010

Wow! What a series Steve. Had to be over food, a chickiebabe, or housing. Great capture !

4 Risovic October 11, 2010

Graeat photos ! #nature #wildlife

5 Mindy October 11, 2010

Wow, these are amazing!

6 Barbara October 11, 2010

Phenomenal series – most unusual – well done Steve – wonder what it was about – like Lili – I think it was likely about a nest or a mate? It was pretty extreme to be over just food. But who knows?

7 DD October 11, 2010

Great action shots Steve. Was there a winner declared? :)

8 Steve Creek October 11, 2010

My guess that it was a fight over territory. The last photo shows the winner. Lol

9 Ferran October 11, 2010

Bird fights are always amazing to see. Watch these two young males of Plumbeous Water-redstart fighting for territory! http://goo.gl/YoDE They are smaller than Mockingbirds, but very aggressive as shown on the video

10 Maria Rosa October 11, 2010

The mockingbirds outside where I work have been in territorial squabbles of some kind for a few weeks but have not seen them fighting on the ground so these pics are superb. I was at a spiritual retreat this weekend and had lots of time for nature walks where the retreat center is surrounded by forest. The mockingbirds there were busy singing their hearts out!!! Glad I experienced this beautiful side of them:-)

11 Linda Rockwell October 11, 2010

Amazing photo series Steve!

12 Becky L. October 11, 2010

Nice shots, not seen anything like this but I hear birds bickering often here. Usually scrub jays.

13 Scott October 11, 2010

Great shots, Steve. That’s a nasty fight!

14 Beverly Everson October 12, 2010

Outstanding action shots!!! Great job!

15 Judi October 12, 2010

Never realized how much their feet are used in their fighting, #3 with a foot wrapped around the beak, and #5. Now I know why I sometimes see birds with parts of their toes missing. Loved the series, could feel the action.

16 Chip Miller February 27, 2011

No website, just a Flickr account. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/22888993@N03/) Was this encounter fatal for the lower mockingbird, or was it just a passing dominance issue? I came across two European starlings engaged in such a battle once and one appeared to be trying to kill the other. Luckily a car came by and the fight broke up. Did the loser here fly off? Great series of action photos.

17 Steve Creek February 27, 2011

Chip, the loosing mockingbird did survive and I did see it fly away. This fight lasted several minutes and covered a large area. I would guess a city block.

18 Kit March 9, 2012

I was doing a search to see why mockingbirds fight like this. Saw your photos. I came across a fight this morning while walking the dog. A neighbor & I watched them fight in the same area for about 5 min or more, than fly to another spot, & then several other spots. Another bird kept watch at each spot. I assumed they were fighting over territory or a female. I’m in east/central FL & I would assume it’s close to mating season here. The birds were still fighting after we walked on. Must have been at least 15 min time that we were watching. Loved your pictures. Spot on!!

19 Steve Creek March 9, 2012

Kit, Thanks for sharing your experience with the fighting Mockingbirds.

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