A form of courtship?

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Hi Paul,

 

Yes indeed. Of course she knew then, but that was not my question. To explain: I could not be sure that, 9 months later, she would still know the answer to the question. My wording was I thought astute to the small possibility that she might have forgotten, which was which, from that one photo, although I believe she is careful in her observations. Maybe I should have typed in one more word: please tell us - if you still know-...

 

Margaret has answered me and sent a photo of the mating. The answer is the more brown one was the male. "He is the one with the dragon fly still in his beak." 

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul T. [
Sent: Sunday, 11 September 2011 9:04 PM
To:
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] A form of courtship?

At 06:01 PM 11/09/2011,
you wrote:
> Hello
>   Margaret,
>  
> There is a
>   significant difference in the colours of these two birds in how brown the
>   breast is and maybe the blue in the throat. I was not aware of any gender
>   difference. None of the field guides nor HANZAB mention these things as gender
>   difference. Probably an individual variation (which HANZAB mentions) but for
>   the record, from your photo, please tell us - if you know- which was male,
>   which was female? 
>  
> Philip

Philip,

I'm guessing that Margaret
is likely to know which was the male, given the fact she saw them copulating.
<grin>

Sorry, couldn't resist. LOL

Beautiful pic,
Margaret.

Cheers.

Paul T.
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9

Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about anything else that doesn't move!!