Moorhen

Moorhen, a photo by sachinvijayan on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
First the Territories have to be decided. Mostly a bit of squabbling and chasing decides the issue, but occasionally running battles lasting hours take place. This is one such. Sometimes the partners just hover about as here - at other times the lot join in the melee.

The fights can be vicious and birds gets injured (none with permanent effects so far). We have tried stopping these fights, but the moment you turn your back they are at it again. This is important to them - its about who makes the next generation on this pond.