Martin Vs. Martin
Just how far will two ASY male martins carry their battle for the rights to a gourd? A couple of days ago (warm weather unlike today) I was outside doing a little lawn cleanup work when I hear a battle going on in one of my SuperGourds. I could tell that a martin was involved by the chirping from one of the combatants, the other bird was making that mad/hurt noise of a bird that isn't too happy. I listened for a minute or so and got concerned that maybe a male HS and a martin were having a death struggle. I got my pool pole and shook the gourd a little to break up the fight - no luck the fight continued. Then I started lowering the gourds thinking surely this would flush the birds out - still the fight continued. Finally I unscrewed the lid and looked inside. A martin had another male pinned down! The victor flew out and left his victim gathering his wits. I replaced the lid and raised the gourds back up and watched for a while. Finally the second martin exited. Are there many instances where martins kill their own species in the quest for nesting rights?
Yesterday, I watched a fight between two males in my nestcam gourd for about 10 minutes. I was just about to go outside and do what you did, lower the rack, when they tired and finally, one of them exited the gourd. Whew, that is NOT something I like to witness.
They did a lot of wrestling and screeching but I don't think they injured one another, at least, not this time.
I'm sure one of the more experienced landlords can give you a more educated answer.
Jeanne
They did a lot of wrestling and screeching but I don't think they injured one another, at least, not this time.
I'm sure one of the more experienced landlords can give you a more educated answer.
Jeanne
"Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap, yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
Hi Ben,
I have them fighting here and they end up on ground. This bothers me, because if there is a hawk around, he's going to get one of them! I suppose if they can settle their differences inside a nesting compartment, at least a hawk can't get them in there. I have a marauding Cooper's hawk in my neighborhood.
Gary
I have them fighting here and they end up on ground. This bothers me, because if there is a hawk around, he's going to get one of them! I suppose if they can settle their differences inside a nesting compartment, at least a hawk can't get them in there. I have a marauding Cooper's hawk in my neighborhood.
Gary