![]() ![]() The tropical family of bowerbirds are famous for complex nests built by males and then decorated with bright and colorful objects to catch the eye of a potential mate. Young cranes must practice their dance moves, a process that can take years before they master the elaborate dance.Īn 18th century illustration of the habits of the Bower Birds. The ability to dance is, apparently, not instinctive. Cranes mate for life and the ritual of dancing is a way to strengthen the bonds between a mated pair. Pairs perform very ritualistic dances that, if the performers were human, would no doubt require the services of an accomplished choreographer. They’re also some of the most accomplished dancers in the animal kingdom. Cranes are one of the oldest families of birds on earth. Among birds known for tripping the light fantastic are flamingoes, cranes, grouse and grebes. May I have this dance? Many species of birds perform elaborate and ritualistic dance displays. However, as spring approaches, his behavior undergoes a change and he becomes content to feed next to a female cardinal, often slipping her some choice tidbits. During the winter months, a male cardinal is more likely to chase a female away from a feeder rather than share food with her. Observant birders may have witnessed a male Northern cardinal slip a female a morsel of food, such as a peanut or a shelled sunflower kernel. The way to the heart is through the stomach. ![]() Northern Cardinals are beginning to pair together in anticipation of the spring nesting season.So, the perfect pebble could be the way to winning a female penguin’s heart. In fact, a scrape on the bare ground, perhaps encircled by a collection of pebbles, marks the extent of their nest construction. Female penguins don’t build elaborate nests. There could be more than a simple bribe behind this gift. For instance, many male penguins make a present of a stone or pebble to female penguins. Many birds present small trinkets to a prospective mate. Since we recently celebrated Valentine’s Day, I thought a look at some of the more unusual courtship rituals of some of our feathered friends would be appropriate.īirds bearing gifts. Most birds don’t bring a box of chocolates or a bouquet of roses when they take up courtship of a prospective mate, but birds have several equivalent behaviors that they employ to attract the attentions of the opposite sex. A pair of Clark’s Grebes displays in a courtship ritual known as “rushing” or “weed dance.” Birds use a variety of strategies to attract and keep mates. ![]()
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