Allotments 4 All

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!
[attachment=1]

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.