Combative coots, West Park

Combative coots, West Park

The breeding season is also the peak fighting season. Four of the West Park coots by the shore. Two close by, watching while the other two go at it hammer and tongs. They weren’t just using beaks, but also their vicious-looking feet. Most likely the fighters were two males; the spectators their respective mates. After the brief flurry, one pair swam off, a combatant and a spectator. Despite the aggro, it didn’t look like any actual injuries had been inflicted.