Bird Bonding
This pair of Black-legged Kittihawkes appear to be bonding with beaks open, facing and touching each other. Co-parenting by both parents, who often remain monogamous for life, begins with the male arriving at the colony first, locating and building a nest site in spring, often at the same spot used in previous years. When the female arrives, relationships are re-established and maintained by the male and female nodding, head-bobbing, and crossing necks. The bright yellow beaks, and red/orange mouths stand out in this harsh environment. Black-legged Kittiwakes derive their name from their “kittiwake” cries. This “kittiwake” call is one of the most common, familiar and classic sounds in seabird colonies. These birds spend their entire lives at sea only to venture on land during nesting season.
Source:
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-legged_Kittiwake/lifehi...
Bird Bonding
This pair of Black-legged Kittihawkes appear to be bonding with beaks open, facing and touching each other. Co-parenting by both parents, who often remain monogamous for life, begins with the male arriving at the colony first, locating and building a nest site in spring, often at the same spot used in previous years. When the female arrives, relationships are re-established and maintained by the male and female nodding, head-bobbing, and crossing necks. The bright yellow beaks, and red/orange mouths stand out in this harsh environment. Black-legged Kittiwakes derive their name from their “kittiwake” cries. This “kittiwake” call is one of the most common, familiar and classic sounds in seabird colonies. These birds spend their entire lives at sea only to venture on land during nesting season.
Source:
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-legged_Kittiwake/lifehi...