[UNCLASSIFIED] Diamond firetail courting

Whilst watching the cricket over the break I had the pleasure of watching a fabulous courtship display right outside the window by a diamond firetail which resulted in copulation.

 

The male held a piece of reed or grass in its beak (approx 15cm long and held nearly at the end) and jumped or hopped along a thin but solid stick around 40cm long which make the reed look like it moved in a fluid flowing or waving motion.  I can't be sure but he may have also nodded his head up and down to assist in this motion.  He continually faced the direction of the female while he moved down and back along the stick performing his dance and after three runs of the stick was greeted by the female. 

 

For once I witnessed this wonderful live dance of nature without even leaving the lounge.

 

 

 

Regards
Nigel Dears

Capacity Building Team
Natural Resource Management Division
Australian Government 
+  PO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601
(  (02) 6272 4847
Ê  (02) 6272 3626
È  0402 404 132
:  m("daff.gov.au","nigel.dears"); href="blocked::">  www.nrm.gov.au

 

 

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