Brent Stephenson / Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli) with wings outstretched and tail cocked in threat display. Off Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Roger Powell / Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis) engaged in threat display to warn tresspassing rival. Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Andrew Parkinson / Mute swan (Cygnus olor) adult in threat posture, Derbyshire, UK, February.

Axel Gomille / Indian / Asian / Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) raising its hood in a threat display. Karnataka, India.

Brent Stephenson / Campbell Albatross (Thalassarche impavida) swimming on the water with bill wide open in threat display. Note the diagnostic pale eye of this species. Off North Cape, New Zealand, April.

Brent Stephenson / Campbell albatross (Thalassarche impavida) in threat display. Note the diagnostic pale eye of this species. Off North Cape, New Zealand, April.

Alex Hyde / Spiny flower mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) in threat display with wings extended showing eye spots on wing cases. Captive, originating from Africa.

Tony Heald / African elephant (Loxodonta africana) threat display by shaking head, at waterhole with Ostrich, Zebra and other wildlife in the background, Etosha National Park, Namibia, August Not available for rin...

Alex Hyde / Yellow streaked tenrec {Hemicentetes semispinosum} at night with spines erected in threat display, Maroansetra, Madagascar

Guy Edwardes / Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) with wing raised as a threat to nearby rival. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa, February

David Tipling / Nightjar {Caprimulgus europaeus} at nest in threat display towards advancing Adder, North Norfolk, UK, May

Andy Rouse / Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) showing aggressive behaviour, South Africa