Karate buzzards fight it out in snowy Polish countryside battle

By Mail Foreign Service
Updated: 08:46 EDT, 2 February 2010

These incredible pictures show two birds of prey spectacularly fighting each other in snow like karate movie legends.

In one image a large buzzard appears to aim a deadly flying kick at its opponent's chest.  

Just seconds later it seems to have floored its foe with a total knockout - leaving it spread-eagled on the ground.

Take that: A buzzard aims a kick at the chest of his foe during a squabble in the Polish countryside

Smackdown: One of the birds is toppled as victory edges ever closer

Match: The buzzard's kick resembles the infamous 'crane kick' from Karate Kid

One bird's effort during the spectacular sequence of events even resembles the infamous 'crane kick' performed by actor Ralph Macchio in hit 80s flick The Karate Kid.

The comical event was captured on camera this month by office worker Marcin Nawrocki, 33. He witnessed the acrobatic display in wintery woodland near his home in Kutno, Poland.

Wildlife lover Marcin, a hobby photographer, said: 'I have seen buzzards fight this way many times.

'They fought very spectacularly and it looked like a deadly scrap. But even after the most ferocious fight the birds just dust themselves off seem to come away uninjured.

'These two were fighting over some food, which is normally the reason why they confront each other.

'They are very territorial and were competing to claim the most meat for themselves.' 

Eager to drive each other away the birds first squared up to one another with their wings fully outstretched in an impressive show of strength.

'In their stances they looked like movie martial artists getting ready for a showdown in the final scene of an action movie,' said Marcin.

Then just like screen legend Bruce Lee, the feathered fighters battled for a full minute with precision timing. They rained a series of blows on each other - mixing up their tactics like pro fighters.

In Marcin's explosive photographs they can be seen kicking, stamping and charging each other before one emerges victorious.

To get pictures this good Marcin set up a hide built by himself and then had to wait patiently in Poland's plummeting January temperatures.

'The spot where I took this is a forest popular with buzzards. It's very peaceful there with few people, so it's a great place to get amazing wildlife photography.'  

Common Buzzards can be found all-year round across Europe.  

Squaring up: The furious birds face each other as the battle continues

Wipeout: The victorious bird stands proudly by as his foe lies spread-eagled in the snow