Peregrine falcons, Falco peregrinus, are awe-inspiring birds of prey known for their hunting prowess and remarkable speed. They hold the title of the fastest animals on Earth, reaching speeds of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) per hour by soaring high and then dive-bombing their prey.
During the breeding season, which falls between February and June in Southern California, these falcons become even more aggressive as they protect their nests and eggs. This means that even the resident pelicans, such as the Brown pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis, are not safe from their territorial attacks.
Brown pelicans are easily recognizable with their long bills and expandable pouches. While they primarily feed on fish, they also have a taste for amphibians, crustaceans, and the eggs and nestlings of other birds.
It’s no surprise, then, that when a female peregrine falcon spots a brown pelican getting too close to her nest, she doesn’t hesitate to defend her territory.
“During the breeding season, a female Peregrine Falcon fiercely protects her young, attacking anything that comes near the nest,” said Zhi in a release emailed to IFLScience. “For four years, I attempted to capture these rare moments of her attacking large Brown Pelicans with incredible speed and agility.”
“The high-speed chase made it challenging to capture a close-up shot with a long lens. The falcon’s precision was amazing as it struck at the pelican’s head.”
Despite their larger size, the pelicans are still vulnerable to these attacks, and there are plenty of dramatic videos online that showcase these massive birds being spun around and knocked off course by the furious falcon parents. It’s safe to say that the nesting grounds of peregrine falcons become a strict no-fly zone when there are baby birds around.
Bird Photographer of the Year 2023 featured an impressive collection of captivating, humorous, and artistic photographs. Here are a few of our favorites:
Blue-footed fishing dive
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii. Los Islotes, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Henley Spiers, United Kingdom.
Category: Bird Behaviour. SILVER AWARD WINNER.
“In early autumn, a sardine shoal at Los Islotes attracted seabird predators. Amid the shoal, I waited patiently for the elusive shot of a Blue-footed Booby rising with a sardine in its beak. Finally, a crash came down close to me, and I instinctively captured the moment.”
Glistening green
Tanager Chlorochrysa phoenicotis. Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Ecuador.
Nicolas Reusens, Spain.
Category: Best Portrait. GOLD AWARD WINNER.
“Venturing into the tropical forest, I was excited to spot the rare Glistening-green Tanager. After hours of waiting, I saw the vivid-green bird on a perfect heart-shaped leaf. Its shimmering feathers reflected a dazzling array of colors. I captured every detail, grateful for this magical moment amid the lush jungle backdrop.”
More fish please!
King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus. Saunders Island, Falkland Islands (Malvinas).
Levi Fitze, Switzerland.
Category: Comedy Bird Photo. SILVER AWARD WINNER.
“When observing King Penguins, I was struck by how their behavior sometimes resembles that of humans. This juvenile constantly begged until the annoyed adult walked away. However, the fact that the juvenile was more massive than the adult suggests good parenting overall.”
