God commanded that water be filled with many living beings and the air with birds on His fifth day of creation. We can only wonder and be amazed by the awesome spectacle of the courting and mating behavior of these group of birds.
Albatross
Albatrosses are seabirds. They range widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific. They have a long life span of up to 50 to 60 years. They reach sexual maturity about five years, but will begin to breed for another couple of years or even up to 10 years for some species. Prior to breeding they spend many years practising the complicated breeding rituals and "dances" that it is famous for.
The dance involves synchronisation of various actions:
- breaks clattering
- neckstretching
- bill clapping
- head bowing
- mutual bill clapping
- nibbling
- Male circles female with open wings
- Female turns on spot always facing male
- Final mutual head raising and wing opening preceding mating
Albatrosses are held to undertake these intricate and painstaking rituals to ensure that the appropriate partner has been chosen and to perfect partner recognition, as egg laying and chick rearing is a huge investment.
Crane
This is a pair of red-crowned cranes, also called Japanese and Manchurian crane. They are found in Japan, South Korea and Eastern China. They are long-legged and long-necked birds. Their life span is unknown. In captivity some lived up to 22 years.
Their courtship is composed of complex and noisy displays or graceful dances.
- Leaping into the air
- Drifting down with necks and wings outstretched, not pulled back
- Circling each other
- Bowing with spread wings
- Calling with notes
Their magnificent mating dances have made them highly symbolic in many cultures with records dating back to ancient times. They represents long life, peace, happiness and fidelity.
Peacock
An indian blue peacock courts a peahen. It is the national bird of India and a prominent symbol of Myanmar. Life span is 20 to 30 years in captivity, wild 18 years.
The male peacock flares out its feathers when it is trying to get the females attention. The sexual selection is done by the male's presentation of his ocelli density and displaying activity.
During mating season they will often emit a very loud high pitched cry.
Capercaillie
The Capercaillie is also known as Wood Grouse. Found across Northern Europe and Asia. Famous for its mating display.
At the start of dawn, the tree courting begins on a thick branch of a lookout tree.
- The cock postures himself with raised and fanned tail feathers, erect neck, beak pointed skywards, wings held out and drooped and starts his typical aria
- This consists of four parts, tapping, drum roll, cork pop and gurgling or wheezing
It is only towards the end of the courting season that the hens arrive on the courting grounds, also called leks, meaning dance in Norwegian.
The cocks continue courting on the ground while singing, this is the main courting season.
- The cock flies from his courting tree to an open space nearby and continues his song and dance display
- The hens, ready to get mounted, crouch and utter a begging sound. If there are more than one cock on the lek, it is mainly the alpha-cock who copulates with the majority of the hens.
Capercaillies are most sensitive against disturbances during their courting display and may cause the hens to fly off and prevent copulation.
These birds are just among life's phenomenon. A coordinated consecrated effort is crucial to maintain these beautiful species.
