Birdlife

16 / 37

Seconds Out Round 1

LOCATION - Twee Rivieran, Kgalagadi Transfrontier park. BEHAVIOUR / BACKGROUND STORY - We had been watching a family of Ostrich, Mum, Dad and a clutch of newly borns (you can see them in the photo by the feet of the two fighting ostriches). I then noticed another male ostrich enter the territory, paying considerable attention to the family. His gait and stance appeared strange and I guessed there could be some confrontation as he slowly approached the family. Suddenly, all hell broke loose. The Mother made a dash for it as the two males encountered each other. It was an exceptionally brutal fight as both ostriches kicked out fiercely with feather flying everywhere. The fight only lasted about one minute before the intruder ran away, limping slightly. The family then congregated together and both parents were clearly concerned about the well being of the chicks.

Seconds Out Round ORIGINAL Africa Kalahari Kgalagadi South Africa ostrich wildlife