Lapwing evicts Whistler

As we all know Masked Lapwings aggressively defend their breeding territory especially when they have eggs and young.

Who hasn’t been harassed by a cranky Lapwing?

At Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park I witnessed a Lapwing harass and drive away a Whistling Kite that had landed on a dead branch at the top of a large paperbark tree within its territory.

The Lapwing made six or seven swoops close to the Whistler before it moved on. I managed to capture three of the swoops.

The Lapwing closing in rapidly. The Whistler raises its wings and faces the attacker. Note, a spur is visible on the right wing.

In the second attack I captured the Lapwing very close to the Whistler – a matter of luck I must point out, as the swoops were very fast. I should have tried a few bursts of continuous shooting to try and capture the action.

The spur is visible on the left wing in this shot. The Whistler is on a very precarious perch – one leg is out on space.

The Whistler recovers from the attack.

The Whistler is looking ruffled.

The last attack I captured – one of the Whistler’s legs is out in space again.

The Whistler has finally had enough of the harassment and is about to depart to a quieter perch. It looks like a little preening will be required to regain composure.