I broke up a big disagreement this evening.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (58216)
May 17, 2026 10:14pm CST
The sun was starting to set, and the heat of the day was leaving us. I opened the back door for a bit, thinking I would enjoy the sunset. Walked away from the door and about a minute later there was a bunch of bird type of noise...ducks quacking and geese making their noises. Two geese and two ducks were having a huge disagreement about 15 feet from my back door--and feathers were flying! I didn't see any babies out there, if either pair had babies, they were not visible. Just as I was trying to think of how to break it up somehow, my neighbor came out her back door and blew a very, very loud whistle--and it scared them so badly, they all flew away!
I've lived here a number of years. We have a pond and a lake both, our subdivision is called Twin Lakes--but it's really a stretch to call the little one a lake. We have a lot of geese all year long, they never really seem to leave. It's their baby time right now, and we have at least 6 or 7 pairs of geese that have babies walking with them lately, as well as some little ducklings following their mama as well. I have never, ever seen or heard of any of them having a disagreement, but they sure did today! None were hurt, they all flew away before it came to actual injuries, I think.
They left quickly when the neighbor blew the whistle, scattered in several directions. There were some feathers floating around, I went out to see if there was any visible blood from the fight, but none that I could see. I picked up a few feathers...so amazing to see how perfect they are, the beautiful markings, and the fact that all the feathers are so, so different. I washed them off and washed my hands and took a picture of the feathers...don't ask me why, I'm not sure.
They are a lot like people. Some don't get along with others, some do. Their temperaments are all over the place. And every one of them is put together just a little bit different, with different colors, habits, and personalities. This picture doesn't do the feathers justice, but here I am posting it anyway. I'm just glad the neighbor broke up the bird-argument!!
11 people like this
11 responses
@crossbones27 (52769)
• Mojave, California
9h
So it was like a fight of birds?Most birds do not kill, not in city anyway, Hawks, never trust a hawk. Most will give a warning shot, but if you piss it off a hawk it will kill in blind rage.
I get what you mean they a lot like people. all animals are really, some not as smart as us but birds elephants, lions,monkeys , wolves and coyotes, whales and dolphins all act like people in the end they will kill to make sure their family survives.
4 people like this
That's a beautiful feathers though.
@MarieCoyle (58216)
•
4h
Oh, swans can really get wicked, and they are very strong, too.
Anna, I am happy to know that you enjoyed some beautiful feathers, too. 
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (500765)
• Italy
4h
@MarieCoyle - Swans are dangerous, there are warning signs everywhere around our lakes to tell people not to approach swans. Some do and get hurt.
@MarieCoyle (58216)
•
4h
The geese are very large birds. I sure wouldn’t want to have one mad at me!! I wasn’t sure how to break up the bird fight and was certainly glad the neighbor blew her loud whistle!
@MarieCoyle (58216)
•
7h
Usually, the ducks and the geese keep to themselves and just basically ignore each other. I guess someone stepped out of line somehow and one or more birds must have been offended, or defensive, in some way. I tried to get a picture for two days, it's been gloomy and misting rain part of the time. I will try again tomorrow.
The feathers are all so different, and the designs on some of them is so special. I love seeing the differences.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (121310)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
9h
Good thing that your neighbor broke up the bird arguement.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (58216)
•
8h
She said afterwards she's had that whistle hanging in her kitchen for years and never blew it before. It surely did work!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (58216)
•
4h
The feathers are just works of art in themselves. The markings and shades of colors are just beautiful.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (221116)
• United States
Just now
Beautiful feathers. We had a pair of male mallards for about a year. Their personalities were as different as night and day. I'm glad your neighbor broke up the fight.
@LooeyVille (50)
• United States
8m
The Blue Jays here are bullies - always starting fights with the Ravens and Squirrels.
