Feb 4, 2010: Bird Brawl

I've seen pictures of birds fighting, we've even had some as the IOtD.
But I've never seen pictures of birds doing the kung fu thing before.

These incredible pictures show two birds of prey spectacularly fighting each other in snow like karate movie legends. In one image a large buzzard appears to aim a deadly flying kick at its opponent's chest. Just seconds later it seems to have floored its foe with a total knockout - leaving it spread-eagled on the ground.

The comical event was captured on camera this month by office worker Marcin Nawrocki, 33. He witnessed the acrobatic display in wintery woodland near his home in Kutno, Poland. Wildlife lover Marcin, a hobby photographer, said: 'I have seen buzzards fight this way many times.
'They fought very spectacularly and it looked like a deadly scrap. But even after the most ferocious fight the birds just dust themselves off seem to come away uninjured.

I'm glad to hear they aren't seriously hurt, but isn't this a pretty extreme was to settle an argument. They should act more like people... oh wait... er, nevermind. :o


link

I swear that first bird is doing the kick from Karate Kid.

:devil:

Ironic. The bird flipped him.

I cackled audibly with laughter.

Clodfobble;632226 wrote:

I cackled audibly with laughter.

That's nothing to crow about.

these are NOT buzzards. these are Hawks.

oh, and to just tweak Tony's joke:

these are NOT buzzards. these are Hawks

Bit of a trans-Atlantic difference of opinion on this one.

Forgive me, but the birds known as 'Buzzards' in the US are Turkey Vultures, are they not?

The birds pictured here are European Common Buzzards aka Buteo buteo. As you'll have noticed they are about the same size and shape as the Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Quite why we call our Buteos Buzzards, and you call yours Hawks, isn't clear.

Wikipedia article

Carruthers

Carruthers;632328 wrote:

Forgive me, but the birds known as 'Buzzards' in the US are Turkey Vultures, are they not?

Not all, I think Buzzards is used more as a general term, but I've apparently been wrong before. :3_eyes:

BUZZARD:

TURKEY BUZZARD


HAWK

Undertoad;632217 wrote:

I had to go the original link and grab the picture, get the hi-res version, and add this caption and make it my new desktop.

Carruthers wrote:

As you'll have noticed they are about the same size and shape as the Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

Since this thread has already devolved into humorous tangent... You know how when you're being shown a desert or otherwise desolate scene in a movie or television show, and the sound designers will pop in that single echoing bird caw to further accent the desolation of the place? That's a red-tailed hawk, usually a specific sound file from a specific sound effects library, and it's a running joke among the sound designer community to wedge it in wherever possible.

What, you think we don't hide jokes in all your favorite movies? Ever heard of the Wilhelm scream?

[youtube]k31xLJ-koOE[/youtube]

Ha! that's cool, fob, thanks.

Early Tarzan movies often added Kookaburra calls to the African Jungle.