Bird Behaviour in Action
View allAll Photos Tagged behaviour
the horbills are quite large birds used to feed on fruit and mainly insects,arachnids and small vertebrates.
but they are not used to kill aduld birds.
in this case an African Grey Hornbill (tockus nasutus) has cought and killed a social weaver.
"a strange behaviour"
Etosha National Park ,Namibia
original 3K file here:
This owl flew to get away from me but, surprisingly, looped back and flew right back towards the utility pole near where I was standing. Thus, it apparently forgot what it was doing. It flew right at me until it got very close, realized its error and pealed off, giving me in-close side shots too. I wish that this kind of behaviour were more common.
What are you two up to??
Photographed the female and male Red-winged Blackbird along the shore of Gillies Lake in the Gillies Lake Conservation Area located in the City of Timmins in Northeastern Ontario Canada
©Copyright Notice
This photograph and all those within my photostream are protected by copyright. They may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written permission.
Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps Cristatus
BIRD GUIDES NOTEABALE PHOTO May 26-4 June 2019
The great crested grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge, since its legs are set relatively far back and it is thus unable to walk very well. Usually two eggs are laid, and the fluffy, striped young grebes are often carried on the adult's back. In a clutch of two or more hatchlings, male and female grebes will each identify their 'favourites', which they alone will care for and teach
Unusually, young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The adults teach these skills to their young by carrying them on their back and diving, leaving the chicks to float on the surface; they then re-emerge a few feet away so that the chicks may swim back onto them.
The great crested grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also small crustaceans, insects small frogs and newts.
This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate hats and ladies' undergarments. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect this species, which is again a common sight.
The great crested grebe and its behaviour was the subject of one of the landmark publications in avian ethology: Julian Huxley's 1914 paper on The Courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus).
Population:
UK breeding:
4,600 pairs
UK wintering:
19,000 individuals
A long billed Corella bird with a surprised facial expression captured at the Kings Domain , Melbourne. It's head was down digging for bulbs and when it raised its head...I am much nearer !
Best view enlarged for details of the face.
Many thanks for your visit, comments, invites and faves...it is always appreciated....
Happy Sunday
Dove and Red-headed Finch.
Many thanks to everyone who chooses to leave a comment or add this image to their favorites, it is much appreciated.
©Elsie van der Walt, all rights reserved. Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. If you are interested in using one of my images, please send me an E-mail (elsie.vdwalt@gmail.com).
Sitting on 5 eggs.....Fingers x'd!
Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps Cristatus
The great crested grebe has an elaborate mating display. Like all grebes, it nests on the water's edge, since its legs are set relatively far back and it is thus unable to walk very well. Usually two eggs are laid, and the fluffy, striped young grebes are often carried on the adult's back. In a clutch of two or more hatchlings, male and female grebes will each identify their 'favourites', which they alone will care for and teach
Unusually, young grebes are capable of swimming and diving almost at hatching. The adults teach these skills to their young by carrying them on their back and diving, leaving the chicks to float on the surface; they then re-emerge a few feet away so that the chicks may swim back onto them.
The great crested grebe feeds mainly on fish, but also small crustaceans, insects small frogs and newts.
This species was hunted almost to extinction in the United Kingdom in the 19th century for its head plumes, which were used to decorate hats and ladies' undergarments. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was set up to help protect this species, which is again a common sight.
The great crested grebe and its behaviour was the subject of one of the landmark publications in avian ethology: Julian Huxley's 1914 paper on The Courtship‐habits of the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus).
Population:
UK breeding:
4,600 pairs
UK wintering:
19,000 individuals
Very interesting behaviour - this LEO was hunting at 10AM (and was very successful at it!) Not typical behaviour for a dusk hunter. My hypothesis is that it was taking advantage of the people / dog activity in the local park, what I mean is that because of it’s proximity to a busy trail, dogs in particular spook mice and other rodents. If I was a betting person I’d say this is an example of a hunter adapting to it’s circumstances!
Tirumala limniace, commonly called the Blue Tiger, belongs to the Danaid group of brush-footed Butterflies. Seen almost all over India, this species shows gregarious migratory behaviour during the monsoons in South India.
captured in West Bengal India
One of 5 varieties of minivets in the forest we visited and a lifer!. Not the rarest, but definitely quite an uncommon one. It looks similar to the common Scarlet Minivet, but has a rosy frontside due to which it derives that name.
Similar behaviour as that of the other minivets except that it prefers small groups, usually 2 where both the male and female forage together. It is also a high canopy bird and prefers to come out to the open at the top!
ebird doesn't list the forest we visited as a native range of this bird, but since we sighted it during the non-migratory season, assume its resident there. The last trip we even sighted it nesting.
Thanks so much in advance for your views, faves and feedback.
From the "senses" series: Vision
If someone sees something, they react. Cause-effect. According to Pavlov, reflexes could be conditioned. If you don't see, you don't react. But if vision is deprived from you and you know and watch that you don't see because someone doesn't want you to see, you react. Cause-effect.
A pair of Northern Gannets at their nest.
The male on the left had just returned and the female started to shake her head from side to side as if saying "Where have you been for all this time?"
The male then started to dart forward excitedly towards the female, beak agape,but never got too close.!
A few days later the female laid her first egg in the nest.
The head shaking is behaviour I have seen before but I have never managed to capture it on camera!.
Taken at RSPB Bempton.
In light of recent events, ie the removal of art from a Manchester gallery, and the cessation of so called " walk on " girls at sporting events etc,which seems to stem from some hooray Henry's shoddy behaviour at a charity function,
I ask, "where are we going" with this?
The Pendo smile, and wink says it all......
RKO_9069.
Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved! Watermark protected.
More of my work and activities can be seen on:
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!
Although they are not the only birds to engage in similar behaviour, gannets are famous for "billing" or “mutual fencing.” While it can happen any time both birds from a mated pair are at their nest site, it is quite routine when one bird returns to the nest after foraging for food or nesting material. The two gannets will face each other, often touching and calling. They then shake their heads side to side with their bills clacking together. They often bow, rub necks, and preen each other’s neck before taking up the more mundane activities of nesting in colonies, such as bickering and fighting with neighbors.
In addition to growing and tending trees with care, my husband makes me laugh. And he grows plants in his partial greenhouse. These are tiny cyclamen that bloom by unfurling their wee petals in an up-swept manner.
Bounced strobe. Thanks for looking. (I left parts of small leaves on the right for context. Should I remove them?)
NB. Taking a Cornell course on bird behavior/behaviour. Less active here now.
Hello All!
From my 2016 Spring Archives:
I felt privileged to witness the beautiful courtship ritual of Canada Geese. I was heart-warmed by their intricate displays of affection. This was one moment I thought you'd enjoy viewing!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Thank you so much for your views and comments! Have a lovely day and evening!
©Copyright - Nancy Clark - All Rights Reserved
Newly hatched spiderlings of the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) keep themselves in a tight yellow-orange ball. When in danger the ball falls apart very quickly and then they re-assembled back. I have seen this behaviour before, but with sharp showers on the day I was intrigued whether this little nursery would survive in the open without any roof. A see-through, full of holes web blanket seemed hold up. Taken in the garden, Bath, BANES, England, UK.
The second side of Timmy is the tender cuddler who likes to lie in my arm in bed and lay his head in my hand.
Happy Caturday 2.10.2021 "Signature behaviour"
Courtship behaviour of the great crested grebe.
great crested grebe
Haubentaucher
[Podiceps cristatus]
Feeding behaviour - Typically forages in shallow water. Often feeds very actively, sometimes running after minnows. May forage by walking forward while swinging its head back and forth with the tip of the bill in the water.
AHP East, Ottawa.
Rainham Marshes, Essex, UK. Spring feels early this year, with plenty of wet and mild weather, and lots of courtship behaviour on display from a wide range of species.
Spyder turning his head upside down as I sweet talk him into taking his photo, behaving ever so bashful!
Posted for the Happy Caturday theme: "Behaviour"
The Eagles are spacing themselves along the riverbanks waiting for the remains of a salmon to wash up or float by.
Die Stare sammeln sich an Vorsammelplätzen, meist auf exponierten Strukturen wie hohen Bäumen oder Stromleitungen. Von dort fliegen sie dann in Trupps oder größeren Schwärmen geschlossen zum eigentlichen Schlafplatz. Kleinere Trupps fliegen den Schlafplatz meist niedrig an. Große Schwärme mit mehreren Tausend Individuen bilden über dem Schlafplatz häufig eine Wolke, aus der die Stare dann schlauchförmig nach unten fliegen, auf größere Entfernung ähnelt das Erscheinungsbild einem Tornado. Nachts werden gemeinsame Schlafplätze genutzt, diese Schlafplätze liegen vor allem in größeren Schilfgebieten, aber auch in Baum- und dichten Strauchgruppen.
Many thousand common starlings form flocks just before sundown. These flocks are commonly called murmurations. Although flock size is highly variable, huge, noisy flocks - murmurations - may form near roosts. These dense concentrations of birds are thought to be a defence against attacks by birds of prey such as peregrine falcons or Eurasian sparrowhawks.[32][33] Flocks form a tight sphere-like formation in flight, frequently expanding and contracting and changing shape, seemingly without any sort of leader. Each common starling changes its course and speed as a result of the movement of its closest neighbours. Their swarm behaviour creates complex shapes silhouetted against the sky, a phenomenon known locally as sort sol ("black sun").
(Wikipedia)
The great thing about RSPB Bempton is that there are areas that you can get extremely close to the seabirds and capture some of their intimate behaviour.
Taken on my recent trip to Yorkshire.
The nestlings keep begging and the parents keep foraging. This one has a few bugs and will soon head down to the nest in long grass on the ground.
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
Brolga
Grus rubicunda
Gruidae
One of the most obvious features of the Brolga’s behaviour is its courtship display, an elaborate dance. The dance begins with a pair of birds picking up grass, tossing it into the air and catching it again. This is followed by the birds repeatedly leaping a metre into the air with wings outstretched, followed by stretching their necks upwards, bowing to one another, bobbing their heads, walking about and calling. Sometimes the dance is done alone or in a group, with the birds lining up opposite one another.
Description: The Brolga is a large grey crane, with a featherless red head and grey crown. The legs are grey and there is a black dewlap under the chin. Females are shorter than males. The energetic dance performed by the Brolga is a spectacular sight. Displays may be given at any time of the year and by birds of any age.
Similar Species: The Sarus Crane, G. antigone, another species of crane found in Australia, can be identified by its dull pink legs and the red of its head extending down the neck.
Distribution: The Brolga is found across tropical northern Australia, southwards through north-east and east central areas, as well as central New South Wales to western Victoria.
Habitat: The Brolga inhabits large open wetlands, grassy plains, coastal mudflats and irrigated croplands and, less frequently, mangrove-studded creeks and estuaries. It is less common in arid and semi-arid regions, but will occur close to water.
Feeding: Brolgas are omnivorous (feeding on both vegetable and animal matter), but primarily feed upon tubers and some crops. Some insects, molluscs, amphibians and even mice are also taken.
Breeding: Brolgas probably mate for life, and pair bonds are strengthened during elaborate courtship displays, which involve much dancing, leaping, wing-flapping and loud trumpeting. An isolated territory is established, and is vigorously defended by both partners. The white (blotched with brown and purple) eggs are laid in a single clutch. The nest is a large mound of vegetation on a small island in a shallow waterway or swamp. Both adults incubate the eggs and care for the young birds.
(Source: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/brolga)
__________________________________________
© Chris Burns 2022
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
First is a Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar, next a Soldier Beetle, then a Ladybird and a Hoverfly. Please try viewing large. Thank you....
The original of this image is available as a stock photograph with Grandmaison Photo Agency www.grandmaisonphotography.com/image?&_bqG=0&_bqH...
This male Sharp-tailed Grouse is intensely focused on its ‘dance’ at a lek (communal display area) in southern Alberta, Canada. There are many elements to this behaviour: the inflated purple air sacs, raised yellow eye combs, erect sharp-pointed tail, fanned wings, stamping feet, and various vocalizations. It is amazing to watch and was witnessed at a controlled site on private land with booking required, for which you must enter the blind before sunrise, be quiet, and wait until the activities have eventually finished after several hours before leaving. Well worth it!
Not sure what,s going on here.At first i thought the ants were moving their larvae to another location,but the first larvae is clearly a plant hopper nymph! So moving plant hopper larvae for security,or food?
Thanks for your comments and faves,they are truly appreciated.
I can't forget the look you had when you were talking with Nature.
explaining weird behaviours,that were coming from the start of Time
and you insisted that we became unnatural,
that we stopped looking the God in the eyes
and explaining Life in her true scale,
observing,removing the cement all over us.
Returning to the smell of dirt on Autumn's mornings,
and at the same time that fishes are being cut from the teeth of dolphins and seals,
at that very time many souls are being cut off by her Laws!
So tell me now,why your death should be big news?!
Who will miss you,you think?!
And for how long?!