Shorebird Battles – Ruddy Turnstones

Getting a chance to digiscope courtesy of Swarovski Optik North America on the Cape of Massachusetts led to some interesting shorebird interactions. Here we have a duel between Ruddy Turnstones that got pretty violent.

Ruddy Turnstone Faceoff
Ruddy Turnstones

Take Down!! That’s gotta hurt!
Ruddy Turnstones

Rough fight, yet so beautiful
Ruddy Turnstones

Not sure what this move is called… wing-flashing face-check?
Ruddy Turnstones

Ouch!
Ruddy Turnstone Fight

No ear biting!
Ruddy Turnstones

Willet acting as Referee – “Break it up you two!”
Ruddy Turnstone Fight

You can’t get away from me!
Ruddy Turnstones

The battle ended with no serious injuries. Ruddy Turnstone populations are thankfully stable as they are gorgeous shorebirds. Read more about Ruddy Turnstones from Cornell’s All About Birds.

Check out Birdchick’s video of these battling Ruddies!

All photos digiscoped courtesy of Swarovski loaning out a sweet HD Scope and the Birdfreak Canon Rebel XTi DSLR

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