Cuckoo V Sedge Warbler

 

A Cuckoo takes-off from a field gate and flies into an adjacent small tree where a small Sedge Warbler is singing its heart out on the top branches.

The Cuckoo decides to do the same and starts its elaborate and well known chain of calls and the little Sedge Warbler changed from being a happy chappy into a territorial attacking headcase.

First off the Sedge Warbler pecked away at the Cuckoo's tail feathers and when that didn't work he took off and proceeded to dive bomb the Cuckoo's head 

                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                 

After three attempts the Sedge Warbler made contact and the Cuckoo'd had enough and it turned and flew off to another tree on the opposite side of the field gate.

Now it might seem like this male Cuckoo gave in easily but it is a shrewd move, The fact of the matter is that bearing in mind that after mating females will be looking to lay their eggs in the likes of the Sedge warblers nest so having small birds on his patch is more likely to help attract female Cuckoo's which is his first priority,