While I was at the Garden Centre for Bird Seed (see other thread). I spotted 2 robins in the Pet Food area. One was inside the Shop and other was outside. They were fighting each other with a glass door between them. The Assistant says they do that most days. Both Males. ;D ;D
Robins are very territorial
Sadly about one in ten robin deaths are caused by territorial fights.
Quote from: Carol on December 08, 2010, 20:35:43
Both Males. ;D ;D
How do you know they were both males? Male and female robins are identical.
A possible explanation is that they were fighting their reflections, sort of thing.
valmarg
Females are generally slightly smaller and have a V shaped forehead marking whilst the males are U shaped. Mind you even seeing a pair together it's often not clear which is which hence they're said to be identical!
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Out of interest, I understand that both males and females defend a territory.
Quote from: Flighty on December 08, 2010, 21:17:25
Sadly about one in ten robin deaths are caused by territorial fights.
and the other nine are killed by cats
The only other bird I know that is as aggressive as robins is the kingfisher, they will fight to the death as well.
Always the good looking ones eh?
A lot of juvenile robins die when they first moult and gain the red breasts. They fail to find unoccupied territories, and are harried to death. It's not a stand-up fight to the death or anything.