There is no such thing as recrudescent behavior in birds, that is, behavior
that normally develops in the spring that reappears in the fall when the day
lengths match. That's not how it works. Bird gonad growth and the
accompanying breeding behavior is stimulated by the CHANGE in daylight length,
not the actual length of the day itself.
So, think again about what you're seeing and why. Faint, inexpert singing by
migrants in the fall comes from hatch-year birds that are working to practice
and crystalize their songs. Winter songs can be the same thing (crows do this
too; I watched a hatch-year crow going through all the vocalizations just
yesterday), or, as in Northern Mockingbirds or Eastern Screech-Owls, they serve
the same function as spring songs: keeping others out of their (winter)
territory.
Ducks actually form mating pairs on the wintering grounds, so lots of species
are starting to do courtship displays right now.
Concentrated food sources, such as feeders, often brings out aggression among
flocking birds.
Birds do a number of interesting and unexpected things. They do make mistakes,
but there usually is a functional explanation to most bird behavior that is
appropriate for the time and context.
Best,
Kevin
-Original Message-
From: bounce-19473-3493...@list.cornell.edu
[mailto:bounce-19473-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of W. Larry Hymes
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 12:15 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Recrudescent behavior at this time???
I've recently observed what I would consider recrudescent behavior in
three species of birds. I would think that this behavior would occur
more closely to the autumnal equinox, rather than the winter solstice that we
are fast approaching. While in Virginia I saw huge flocks of ROBINS, some of
which were in full song normally associated with the breeding season. Also, I
saw two male HOODED MERGANSER next to each other displaying with full crest and
head bobbing. Two females were nearby and paid them no attention! Yesterday
at our feeders I noticed a behavior I've never before seen in JUNCOS. Two
birds were sitting facing each other about 2 apart, and both were moving their
heads up and down, apparently in response to each others movement. I observed
this for about 20 seconds, before they discontinued their interaction and flew
off. Then a short time later I saw 2 birds (same ones??) engaged in vigorous
aerial combat.
Have others of you also noticed breeding/territorial behavior in birds at this
time? Any observations or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Larry
--
W. Larry Hymes
120 Vine Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
(H) 607-277-0759, w...@cornell.edu
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