Meet The Boys

Last summer the resident blackbird pair had two male chicks. They pampered them, fed them, and educated them as blackbird parents do. When the chicks weren’t following a parent begging for more food they were playing together.Eventually the parents left, and the chicks should have left too, but they were too busy playing together. There was plenty to eat in my garden. I was always chasing them away.


Autumn came, their plumage darkened, and their beaks and legs turned orange, but they still played together. The game is simple. They choose a spot where there is clear lawn with a big clump of grass, or fern,or small bush. One runs along in front of the clump and the other springs out and chases him. Suddenly they turn and the chaser is chased, back and forth several times. Then one dives under the clump and hides while the other hops on top looking for him. Discovery often leads to aerial combat.

All through the winter they continued to play together. Now it’s spring and there are certain expectations. One day two females visited, each selecting one of The Boys and trying to interest him in another game. They were very determined, but to no avail. One attacked her choice, pecking him viciously about the face before they both flew off.

The Boys are still at it. They have given my son and me hours of entertainment for about nine months. This is the first time I have been able to photograph them together because they are always watching out for the bad-tempered human that chases them away from the fruit and vegetables.

More detail in full screen.