A bird watcher's nest camera captured an intense battle between two female starlings as they clashed over a box to build their nest in.

The footage recorded in Kirkby Stephen, UK, shows the birds frantically flapping around inside the small box before one of the starlings manages to push the other out.

"The fighting was very violent with the birds locking their long sharp claws on the other's heads. Good nesting places are in short supply so my starling box must be a very desirable residence for our local starlings," said the filmer.

"My nest box cam recorded the incredible footage of two female starlings fighting to take ownership of the box to build a nest, lay their eggs and raise its chicks," they added.

My nest box cam recorded the incredible footage of two female starlings fighting to take ownership of the box to build a nest, lay their eggs and raise its chicks. The fighting was very violent with the birds locking their long sharp claws on the other's heads. Good nesting places are in short supply so my starling box must be a very desirable residence for our local starlings.