The behavior of the Chukars indicates that the males are already acting territorial and fighting for the right to mate.
Chukar with the Wasatch Range in the background – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Looking at the Chukar above one wouldn’t think that they are aggressive. They seem fairly docile foraging for seeds in the grasses or perched on a rock calling. But during breeding season they can be fierce, aggressive and downright mean.
I am not happy with the quality of the images below because there was just too much vegetation in the way to get clear views of the fighting but despite that I wanted to share them. Hopefully I will get another ring-side seat one day soon where I can get great views of the sparring match.
Chukars fighting in the grasses
I came upon these Chukars after the battle had already started, in this image you can see two males in the center having a go at it. The bird in the right hand side of the middle has the other birds throat feathers in its bill and is tugging on them. It may have the skin of the bird in its bill too. The other two birds just seemed to observe the fighting.
Chukars fighting on Antelope Island
In this image one of the males has pinned the other down on the ground. I sure wish all the grasses hadn’t been in the way.
Chukars sparring for mating rights
This image shows the winner of the round standing more erect than the loser, the loser is looking at the other bird with its bill slightly open.
Male Chukars fighting for breeding rights
The two birds that were watching the fighting may be females, the males usually do not just defend the nesting territory, they also chase intruding males away from them. These three birds were on the closer side of the rabbitbrush and another birds can just be barely made out on the other side of it.
Male Chukars sparring
It didn’t take long for the dominant male to kick the other male to the dirt. He also has some of the loser’s feathers in his bill.
I’d love to spend more time with sparring Chukars, hopefully out in the open where I can get sharper images with far fewer distracting elements but I am still thrilled to have seen and photographed this action today.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Chukar photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful actions shots Mia, I had no idea that Chukars would fight so viciously, very interesting pictures, way to go.
Thank you Jim, they sure do get aggressive. I keep hoping I will come across them where there isn’t vegetation in front of the action.
Great action photos! I don’t think I want to cross one of these Chukers!
Tammy, I am very glad I am not a Chukar when they are fighting like this!
Mia, once again very nice series. +1 🙂
Bill, thank you!
Interesting behavioral sequence, despite the vegetation Mia.
Julie, thanks for commenting.
These are beautiful photos Mia, Chuckars have such great colors!
Thank you PrairieBirder. They do have beautiful colors.
Great images, Mia. You can’t help but admire their beauty. 🙂
Thank you Bob!
Yikes! Good thing they eventually worked it out. Boys will be boys
Fabulous shots Mia
Laurence, these boys looked like they were beating the snot out of each other! Thanks for your comment.
Mia, another way to look at these images is from a fiction/movie point of view. You know how what you can’t see sometimes inspires even greater terror in the imagination. I rather like the obscured portions of the photos. It suggests a suppression of the other bird that does affect you viscerally, and, again, leaves the imagination to fill in the blanks.
Ingrid, thanks for sharing your perspective on these images, I hadn’t quite thought about it that way. Yes, these images do leave room for imagination!
Wonderful post Mia
Thank you very much Susan!