Papuan Frogmouth Battle, filmed by CNZdenek. 2015

Zdenek, C.N. (2017). Protracted physical aggression between Papuan Frogmouths Podargus papuensis. Australian Field Ornithology. 34: 26-29. dx.doi.org/10.2...
Abstract:
Papuan frogmouths (Podargus papuensis) are large, nocturnal birds of which relatively little is known. The majority of their geographical range occurs in New Guinea and remote parts of far north Queensland, Australia. Presented here is a rare observation, which was filmed, of a combative interaction between two Papuan frogmouths in the Lockhart River region (Iron Range) on Cape York Peninsula, QLD. During the battle, the two conspecifics were interlocked at the beak for at least four minutes. One was perched on the branch and the other was hanging off the branch, unable to reach it with its feet. Rapidly flapping its wings for the second time resulted in the hanging bird finally managing to free itself from the beak of the other. Two additional Papuan frogmouths were present at the time of the event, making an unusually high number for this species of conspecifics in close proximity. One of the non-battling birds gave a previously unrecorded call-type for this species during the fight. The seasonal timing of the event was at the start of the breeding season, suggesting that the conflict was related to breeding. This short communication contributes to the limited knowledge of Papuan frogmouth behaviour and warrants further investigation into the breeding biology and life-history of this species.
More content: cnzdenek.wixsi...