Purple Gallinule Chicks Fight Each Other for Food

Purple gallinule chicks fight each other for food at Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, Florida. There is a pecking order for chicks and those that eat first are generally the older, bigger, and stronger ones. Parents of chicks intuitively recognize which chicks are the stronger ones and if others are weak or vulnerable. In order to make sure there is survival of the stronger chicks, parents will feed them first. They also may peck at vulnerable chicks. The success of chicks truly can hinge on birth order.

[@wildthunderbird]

Wow, I felt so sorry for the little chicks! That was a powerful video and it really triggered me! It brought back unhappy childhood memories when my two older sisters bullied me and beat me up relentlessly and my mom was ok with it. I forgot the misery I went through and did some EFT tapping on it and released a lot of blocked emotion around it. Thank you for the powerful video! ❤️

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

There are no words…how that can happen to an innocent child is beyond me. I’m so very sorry! I’m glad that this video meant so much to you and truly hope that you are finding great love and happiness as an adult, free of the pain and struggles you suffered as a child. Take care and thank you for sharing!

[@wildthunderbird]

@@MichelleSiefkenPhotography thank you so much for the kind words. It made me strong, that's for sure! I'm not fond of bullies. You take care, too, I look forward to your next video 😊

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

You’re so welcome! Your strength of character is very apparent in your responses to my videos. Thank you for always sharing such positive thoughts and making a difference! 😁

[@wildthunderbird]

@@MichelleSiefkenPhotography 😊

[@frankrounding9905]

They seem brutal and mean, and you captured it.. interesting find and clear photos

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

It probably is surprising when people are watching this behavior, because they so often see babies of any species looking “cute and cuddly,” but in the wild it’s all about survival from the moment they hatch. I’m glad you found it interesting, Frank! Once again, thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@frankrounding9905]

Looks like you are right. Rough being a young alligator, snake, turtle etc. I guess people are the only ones who baby their young. Of course those owls you filmed before were getting pretty spoiled.

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

@@frankrounding9905 I think you're right about those owls! 😁

[@VsevolodIgorevitch]

It seems strange that such a prolific biotop as Florida swamp can not provide all chicks with enough food so that they have to compete, doesn't it?

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

Thanks for watching! I think it's more of an instinctual behavior when the parents peck at more vulnerable chicks. Yes, there is plenty of food at this time, but there's always the possibility that this could change. When chicks peck their siblings to get at the food first that just shows they're hungry and want what's being brought to them. Chicks from other bird families: limpkins, common gallinules, and herons act the same way.

[@VsevolodIgorevitch]

@@MichelleSiefkenPhotography They keep, so to speak, on the alert in evolutionary sense )

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

@@VsevolodIgorevitch Yes, I agree