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<\/p>\nWestern Kingbirds are noted for their persistent belligerent behavior. This is one of nine different aggressive displays bird behaviorists have identified in the species.<\/p>\n
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1\/3200, f\/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\n Western Kingbirds vigorously defend the territory around their nest against other birds and predators of various kinds (they’re called kingbirds for good reason). This is the male of a pair that was building their nest on Antelope Island several years ago. In this species only females actually build the nest. The contribution of the male is to guard her and their territory during the nest-building process and this guy was taking his job seriously. While she was delivering nesting material he would either be stationed on a prominent perch as he watched over her or making patrol flights so he could chase off any invaders when necessary.<\/p>\n One of the nine identified belligerent behaviors is called the Wing Flutter where the kingbird partially extends his wings and then flutters them in small arcs. This behavior suggests an aggressive state, often directed toward other kingbirds, but fights don’t usually follow. He did it most often immediately after landing on one of his favorite perches very near the nest which is what he’s doing here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1\/3200, f\/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\n In the next frame in the burst he had twisted his flared tail to his left and upward where it was hidden by his right wing.<\/p>\n The display usually didn’t last very long and he usually performed it immediately after landing so it was difficult to photograph. But he was fairly predictable for landing on this particular perch (and performing the display immediately after) which made it a little easier so eventually I succeeded several times.<\/p>\n Persistence pays off. Sometimes.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Notes: <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Western Kingbirds are noted for their persistent belligerent behavior. This is one of nine different aggressive displays bird behaviorists have identified in the species.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/western-kingbird-8786-ron-dudley.jpg\" "\\"western-kingbird-8786-ron-dudley\\"")
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