Shoebill chicks filmed killing siblings

Formidable: like many other very large species, shoebills only raise one youngster per nesting attempt

DISTURBING FOOTAGE HAS been shot of shoebill chicks (Balaeniceps rex) killing their siblings in Southern Africa. A BBC/Discovery film team watched a larger chick systematically harass, attack and ultimately kill a younger sibling, revealing why shoebills only ever produce one offspring. Director Alex Lanchester said: “This behaviour had previously been recorded in shoebills, but we hadn’t planned on seeing it. It’s very hard to watch. Especially watching the smaller chick trying to fend for itself, for example trying to shade under the grass and going to get water itself.”

Falco subbuteo

This magical hobby: during a routine wild-bird survey in Middlesex, I enjoyed a marvellous encounter with two freshly fledged juvenile hobbies (Falco subbuteo). Instead of fleeing at the sight of me, they allowed me to approach to 25m, bobbing their head, staring comically into the sky and even scuttling about in the grass. Here’s one looking relatively sensible! Even when they flew off, they merely retreated to a nearby roof and sat there shouting at me. This wonderful falcon is a summer visitor to Britain, and a supremely acrobat flyer. It is my privilege to live and birdwatch near several traditional territories.
Rob Innes

Bonelli’s eagles

Credit: Shutterstock.com/Tony Brindley

It reminds me of the recent week I spent in southern Spain with a group of friends. We rented a villa in the hills outside Malaga and watched Bonelli’s eagles do their stuff, while we quaffed large quantities of white Rioja. It was all very agreeable.

Wide and wonderful

This marvellous study of nesting swallows struck a chord with me. I’ve heard so much gloom and doom about the wet breeding season, in and out of the birdroom, yet some fanciers report their best year ever, while many wild birds I see are doing very well, thank you – notably my local house martins and swallows in Surrey. And let’s face it, these fantastic swallow chicks would cheer anyone up! The master photographer was David Kjaer, many of whose images grace Cage & Aviary Birds. To enjoy more of David’s work, see: http://davidkjaer.com/