Birds & Blooms - USA (2021-02)

34 birdsandblooms.com FEBRUARY I MARCH 2021

6

Some pairs go their separate

ways come migration season

but reunite when it’s time to

breed. Studies prove that individuals

recognize each other when they return

to the breeding grounds. This is true for

migratory birds like dunlin and osprey

and for various species of gulls, terns

and seabirds.

7

Plumage color and brightness

may be related to mate selection.

It’s no coincidence that males

of many species are their most vibrant

during courtship season. Think indigo

buntings, scarlet tanagers and American

goldfinches. The color and intensity of a

male’s breeding plumage may influence

a female’s choice.

8

Both male and female western

grebes participate in courtship

rituals. The pairs—or possibly

two males trying to wow females—

participate in an extremely elaborate

walk-on-water display called rushing.

Perfectly in sync, the grebes run as far

as 66 feet across the water with their

necks curved and wings up and back. •

Staying

in Sync

A pair of western

grebes (above)

perform a courtship

dance called rushing.

At right, courting

American avocets

execute a graceful

ritual of bowing,

posturing and

preening.

Kirsten Schrader is the

executive editor of Birds

& Blooms. She’s added

witnessing the immaculate

courtship display of western

grebes to her bucket list.

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