...a Front Row Seat to Courtship

Of course many do not survive the first months of life...but watching them and seeing their breeding plumage change from the dull to the colorful and their courtship rituals are fascinating to say the least. We were at one birding refuge pond where we were witness to a courtship show that was entertaining ...

...and we had a front row seat!! But I'll get to that in a bit. First some of the colors:

RUDDY TURNSTONE

the breeding colors of the bright orange

photo taken: Indian Point Park - Corpus Christi, Texas

habitat range: Ruddy Turnstone

GREAT EGRET

the breeding colors of the bright green around eye/beak

photo taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Refuge - Port Aransas, Texas

habitat range: Great Egret

BLACK BELLIED PLOVER

the breeding colors of the dark rich brown belly

photo taken: Charlie's Pasture Wildlife Reserve - Port Aransas, Texas

habitat range: Black Bellied Plover

...this section is especially for Rose from Time Stand Still. She had mentioned in my comments at Hootin' Anni's that she had to look up Frigatebird when I posted that I had seen one soaring above my head when I was at Port Aransas Birding Centers [the one post with the alligator photos]. After she read about the bird, she mentioned that she thought she'd seen one in California recently. So, I promised her I'd post some photos of the Magnificent Frigatebird. One day this month, Bud and I saw TWO. A male [the one on the left] and the female [on the right]. Then, the following week I spotted another...this time, an immature M. Frigatebird,  was flying above the water's surface...

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD [immature...all white head]


MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD [male on left, female on right]
(neotropic cormorant behind them both)








MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD [immature...all white head]
photos taken:  Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat range:  Magnificent Frigatebird

While driving over the island highway, off in the far distance, several weeks ago, I spotted what I thought was a nest on the power lines. But nothing worth pulling over. Being that the power poles are so far off the highway, a good 'bird's eye' view isn't all that sharp in the first place, even with my zoom [I need a larger zoom lens, Bud!]. So, we continued driving to Port "A". Then, a week or two later, after the flooding rains and tornado threats, we decided to go venture on the islands to see how much water was forming new lakes and tidal pools along the shore. The nest was still there. This time, there was a bit of activity. We stopped. I got out and took some photos. They're not all that clear, a bit fuzzy, but still it proves there are hatchlings...

White Tailed Hawks I believe since an adult white tailed was just two poles down the road, keeping a close vigil on the offspring...

WHITE TAILED HAWK
photos taken:  Island Highway - between Corpus Christi and Port A, Texas
habitat range:  White Tailed Hawk

...now for a front row seat to the mating ritual...well, at least courtship 'cause the female didn't seem all that impressed.  It was so very interesting and entertaining what the male went through to get her attention. He'd spread his nape/crown feathers and the feathers would separate in two... a 'forked crown' if you will!! Then his tail feathers would jut straight up in the air exposing the white rump. His beak [bill], during breeding is a very bright sky blue and his body turns a rich rusty brown.  I read in one of my guide books that the male also preens and adds a bit of green seaweed on his tail feather tips.  I did notice a green tinge of color on this particular day.  I would think that is a correct assumption then, since the majority of time the tail is black/dark brown. With his bill, he'd pat his breast thus creating the water's surface to spray bubbles and droplets in the air in front of him...he'd then swim about in a circular fashion and sometimes sideways...and beat his chest more with his bill. The female just continued feeding. Not impressed what-so-ever. For minutes the male would begin his courtship display once again. Sometimes with an audible grunting call, low pitched but still we could hear it somewhat. Finally tiring of the whole spiel, noticing eventually that she was leaving the area for a more suitable dining table. He chased after her, which I would think is all part of the ritual, and began again. Finally, he calmed down and dined along with her...

RUDDY DUCK

the breeding colors or a rich rusty body and bright blue beak/bill

photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - Port Aransas, Texas

habitat range: Ruddy Duck

* * *

I found a 3 minute video of the Ruddy Duck's Courtship HERE

Also, do you use the term beak or bill when it comes to ducks? I found this graphic online which determines [scientifically] which is which:

image source

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