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romy ocon | profile | all galleries >> Wild Birds of the Philippines (Photos) >> Bird Galleries by Location >> Archives of Older Galleries by Location >> Archives - Part 4 >> David vs. Goliath tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

David vs. Goliath

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The Philippine Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis holospilus), endemic to the Philippines, is a medium raptor at 20 inches total length. It preys on snakes and lizards - a fearsome diet indeed. But yesterday (February 16, 2005) at the Subic Bay rainforest, I witnessed a spectacular display of aerial David-vs-Goliath maneuvers.

A White-breasted Wood-swallow (Artamus leucorynchus) is relatively diminutive at 7.5 inches total length. However, small as it is, the woods-swallow pestered the raptor high above the rainforest, eventually chasing the bigger bird-of-prey away! Amazing..... glad that I was able to capture pics of the spectacle with the 20D + 400 5.6L.
Like a Zero fighter coming in at full throttle, the wood-swallow swoops in on the eagle, seemingly screaming its lungs out. The eagle's expression appears of utter surprise - I'll have the same reaction too if I were chased by a much smaller creature.
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Like a Zero fighter coming in at full throttle, the wood-swallow swoops in on the eagle, seemingly screaming its lungs out.
The eagle's expression appears of utter surprise - I'll have the same reaction too if I were chased by a much smaller creature.

 The wood-swallow overshoots its target, as if it were a supersonic fighter jet attacking a slow, lumbering bomber.
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The wood-swallow overshoots its target, as if it were a supersonic fighter jet attacking a slow, lumbering bomber.

 A momentary lull in the action, as the wood-swallow gets out of the frame to do an inverted loop maneuver.
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A momentary lull in the action, as the wood-swallow gets out of the frame to do an inverted loop maneuver.

 After the inverted loop, the pesterer attacks from behind in a classic dogfighting tactic. The raptor, seemingly surprised once more, can only manage a puzzled look.
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After the inverted loop, the pesterer attacks from behind in a classic dogfighting tactic. The raptor, seemingly surprised once more, can only manage a puzzled look.

 The wood-swallow, like a speeding bullet, again overshoots the raptor. This time, the larger bird got the message and just flew away... possibly in search of safer adversaries, like snakes and lizards...;-)
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The wood-swallow, like a speeding bullet, again overshoots the raptor.
This time, the larger bird got the message and just flew away... possibly in search of safer adversaries, like snakes and lizards...;-)

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