Personally I think the male of this pair got exactly what he deserved.
Two days ago at Bear River MBR I documented a Western Grebe behavior I’ve photographed often in the past but this time it included an unusual and amusing twist.
During breeding season when eggs are developing within the female of a mated pair her mate feeds her large amounts of fish. Such behavior reinforces their pair bond and provides nourishment to the developing eggs.
Here we see the larger male on the right offering a small fish to his mate.
She reached out to grab it but just as she clamped her bill on the fish…
he pulled it away and held it where she could still see it but couldn’t get at it. With her bill open she seemed surprised and confused.
Then he swam toward me with it, seeming to taunt her with the fish as she followed him with her eye on the snack that he’d so rudely snatched away from her.
But soon he relented and offered it to her again. And this time…
he actually allowed her to keep it.
At this point I figured she’d quickly gobble it down but she had something else in mind. Some might call it revenge.
Instead of swallowing the fish she offered it back to him and he seemed eager to accept. She was trolling and he was approaching the bait.
She let him get closer as she offered the fish even more enticingly…
and just as he was about to take the proffered gift from her she…
pulled it away and…
swallowed it herself right in front of him.
Tit for tat. I think he got his comeuppance.
They say that revenge is a dish best served cold but there’s something to be said for the freshly cooked version too.
Ron
Very interesting behaviour, and I thought that was something only humans did.
Thanks, Jane. Apparently it’s universal…
A difficult few days here and I will be largely offline. I am so glad I ‘stole’ a few minutes to come here this morning. Huge smiles. At the series, the feisty woman, and the comments.
Thanks to all.
I’m very sorry to hear that, EC. I wish whatever it takes for you to weather the storm with as little difficulty as possible.
Right on, Mama!!! 👏👍
🙂
You go, girlfriend! 😉
Ron, thanks for sharing such a delightful and humorous photo series.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Marty.
An excellent photo story it was! And yes, he got his.
And deservedly so…
So many great thing things about this post:
1) I have never noticed that the male is so much bigger than the female.
2) The intensity of those red eyes is stunning.
3) You managed to get a catch light in the eye of at least one of the pair in each photo.
4) Another great series and commentary.
Yes, the size difference is obvious and fairly dramatic when you see an adult male and female together. Most folks aren’t even aware of the size difference. Thank you, Lyle.
Very, very interesting behavior on both birds’ parts. I forecast a near-term repeat, in which he tries the same trick, she stabs him in the eye, takes the eggs to mother’s, and files for divorce.
LOL on that, Martha!
Martha, that was hilarious! 😀
What a fun and interesting series Ron. Great job in staying with this all the way through. That was perfect for Joanne to use the famous Art Linkletter kids saying for these birds. Of all the photos I think I like the second and last the best.
Thank you, Everett.
Fantastic series, Ron. Looking forward to more of your back-brooding Grebe photos in the future, assuming these two figure that out eventually!😃
I have confidence they will, Diane.
Excellent documentation, and pretty photos. I do have to wonder what life will be like for this couple and their kids, however. Hopefully they’ll settle into a more reliable pattern after the kids appear. I once saw a female with a large young calling and calling pitifully. A day later, the she was still doing it. I had assumed tragedy had occurred, but perhaps he just had had enough!
Nancy, their young, when they get a little older, scream almost continually for food. To be honest I find the sound annoying and it’s very loud.
Spectacular series & behavior, Ron!! I’ve never been lucky enough to see these Grebes in the wild – have only seen the Pied-bill Grebe. Thanks to your blog, I get to see these interesting birds. I also loved Joanne’s Art Linkletter twist!! Chuckle, chuckle!!
“I’ve never been lucky enough to see these Grebes in the wild”
I’d guess that’s because you don’t live in the west, Joanne. They’re called Western Grebes for good reason.
DUH!!! Good point, Ron!! LOL!!
How funny! 🙂 🙂 🙂 “How do you like THAT, jerk?!” Great series, Ron……. 🙂
Thank you, Judy.
Anyone who makes disparaging remarks about “bird brains” hasn’t spent much time around birds. What a wonderful, amusing series of photos, and lucky you to see this exchange.
Thanks, Shoreacres. If it was luck I’ll take it.
Very amusing! Bird brain or not…that was smart. I think I see a twinkle in her eye and a slight Mona Lisa smile as she turned away and ate it! Very interesting post. thank you. 😊
Thanks, Kathy. It sure was fun to watch.
Birds do the darnedest things! Such a fun post to read on dreary cold morning while packed Into a commuter train. Lovely photos.
I enjoyed your twist on Art Linkletter’s famous line, Joanne.