Birds & Blooms - USA (2021-02)

32 birdsandblooms.com FEBRUARY I MARCH 2021

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4

Some bird pairs are formed in

a lek, an area where males of a

certain species gather to flaunt

and perform for females. For example,

sharp-tailed grouse stick their pointed

tails up, aim their wings down and

inflate the purple air sacs along their

necks. Sage grouse inflate the air

sacs on their chests. The gals wander

through the lek, watch the displays

and select a mate.

Showing Off

A magnificent

frigatebird (above)

and a sharp-tailed

grouse (below) inflate

their colorful neck

pouches in an effort

to attract a mate.