Strike a Pose: 12 Pics of Birds Being Birds

[Judi Lynn]

https://cdn.audubon.org/cdn/farfuture/rUEowyVVSnz-bfjKBgo3ikoAXlAWEQqr8DfnQHhhyKA/mtime:1497971820/sites/default/files/styles/hero_image/public/web_2354_5_ruff_sunil_gopalan_kk.jpg

From brawls to star-crossed romances, these paparazzi birders caught it all on camera.


Supermodels have more to offer than just their poses—and birds are no exception. Behind every vogue display is a decisive adaption, a quirky behavior, or an act of passion.

In the entries for our photo awards this year, we saw courage, heart, and brains. From songbirds wreaking havoc on much larger raptors, to couples dancing in the throes of courtship, the spectrum of performances is near infinite. We're just lucky that our contestants were able to get them on camera.

Enjoy these candid takes, and learn more about each species and its "etiquette" below.

(Above) Bow Down
Most members of the sandpiper family are not known for fancy feathers, but the Ruff—widespread in Europe and Asia—is a stunning exception. In spring, during breeding season, male Ruffs develop long neck plumes in a wide variety of colors. They then gather on display grounds called leks, and dance and show off to attract females. Scientists are still unraveling the functions of the different Ruff color patterns.

More:
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/may-june-2016/strike-pose-12-pics-birds-being-birds?ms=digital-eng-email-ea-series-20180606_revised-best-bird

[Sophia4]

1. Thanks!

[magicarpet]

2. Nice.

[cyclonefence]

3. The egret with the fish is astoundingly beautiful

[Ferrets are Cool]

4. Every last one of those images is beautiful!!

Thank you for sharing.