On this fine early spring day a pair of male robins got into a no holds
barred fight. I have never seen such a battle before. Very loud
vocalizations, lots of feathers flying, lots of contact, pecking, wing
buffeting, chest bumping and tumbling. After more than 2 minutes of almost
steady contact, they broke apart about 2 feet, both had wings drooping,
mouths agape. Then after a bit of rest went at it again for another full
minute. Finally one broke free, stumbling back a few steps then flew away,
closely pursued by the other, who hurled all sorts of sharp invective at
the retreating combatant. The victorious, I assume, robin returned a bit
later, clearly noticeable from the severely mussed up feathers. The bird
spent more than 5 minutes preening itself and perhaps longer, my interest
turned to insects at that point and I wandered off.

I do not recall ever seeing robins skirmish for such an extended period of
time.


Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer
The Environmental Science School
http://www.nonprofitpages.com/nica/SVE.htm
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