At 10.15 am on 6.1.15 I was near the start of The Flora Hut walk and came across a flock of 6-8 riflemen . The were chasing another rifleman. My first photos were taken at 9.52 .I watched as they continuously attacked the bird. When it dropped to the floor they continued communally with their attack until the bird died by 10.20am
I'm not aware of any other birds attacking and killing one of their own kind in a co-ordinated and persistent way. Has anyone else seen similar behaviour in this species or any others?
I came across the collective noun for rifleman and it seemed appropriate!
Fatal group attack on a rifleman by a firing squad of riflemen
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- Oscar Thomas
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Re: Fatal group attack on a rifleman by a firing squad of riflemen
Hi Ian,
This is fascinating thanks for sharing. I observed riflemen fighting at Pukaha Mt Bruce in Dec 2021. Thought it might just be juveniles tussling but you can see the adult male is involved too. I didn't see any kill each other.
This is fascinating thanks for sharing. I observed riflemen fighting at Pukaha Mt Bruce in Dec 2021. Thought it might just be juveniles tussling but you can see the adult male is involved too. I didn't see any kill each other.
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Re: Fatal group attack on a rifleman by a firing squad of riflemen
Google intraspecific killing in birds.Yep it’s uncommon but it happens
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Re: Fatal group attack on a rifleman by a firing squad of riflemen
Years ago when working on tui in Hamilton we had one banded bird killed by another tui. That may have been partially accidental when they crashed down onto concrete. Captive birds will often attack and kill an injured conspecific. As Andrew noted, it is rare in the wild, but not unheard of. Tītitpounamu seemed like such innocent little things.
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Re: Fatal group attack on a rifleman by a firing squad of riflemen
That is very sad Neil is right they look so innocent
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