Unknown
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Bird courtship displays are integral to mating and raising young. Female birds often choose suitors based on appearance, the ability to provide food, evidence that the male can build the strongest and safest nest and other characteristics. With some species, the male simply flies in front of the female to show off his luminous colors or unique markings. And some birds touch bills or groom each other during courtship.
And many birds like the jays, cardinals and sparrows engage in courtship feeding behavior. Typically a male bird may bring a morsel to the female, demonstrating that he is able not only to find food, but that he can share it and provide for her while she incubates eggs or tends the brood.
For some species the male may just bring food and transfer it to the female for her to feed, while in other species he will place a seed or insect directly in her mouth just as he might be expected to do when helping feed hungry nestlings.
Along with being lovers, if you continue to watch, you’ll notice that many battles break out between males. Two House Sparrows in a seemingly endless wrestling match is not uncommon. It’s usually a bloodless battle that ends when they are distracted or one bird taps out.
Male House Sparrows have a patch of black feathers at the throat and chest called a "bib" or a "badge". This patch of feathers increases in size with age. Usually a large, dark bib signals a higher social status that will have the younger setting up challenges. And I always know when a nest of baby House Sparrows are about to fledge when there is a large gathering of sparrows in the morning cheering the little ones out of the nest to nearby bushes. It’s like all the sparrow clan gathers and chants “jump, jump, jump” and then sing happy songs when they fly successfully from the nest.
From dancing, to eating, to nest building, to singing, birds have many rituals. Thank you for sharing the unique behaviors you noticed in your own yard!
Related Articles:
- White-throated Sparrow fun facts http://goo.gl/MnUDw
- Sparrows Native to mid-Michigan http://bit.ly/oy9XGz
- Which one of these birds is not like the others? http://bit.ly/qM1LQt
- Chipping Sparrow Juvenile with adult male http://goo.gl/8U5Ud2
- How to get rid of sparrows http://goo.gl/9tAwkY
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Nature up close
I have a group of sparrows that come to my window every day and I f3ed them they are so adorable and recently I've noticed them feeding each other
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