Dear Judi and Neil,
Sounds like courtship behaviour. Some years ago Ellen McCulloch
described a 'wing-waving' display by Azure KFs in which the birds
perched opposite each other with wings spread and waved them for some
time. This appeared in the 'Australian Bird Watcher'. I think the
reference may be given in HANZAB.
Azures are beautiful birds at any time, but these displays must be
something extra. One reason for having a video camera I suppose.
Anthea Fleming
in chilly Melbourne
N & J Russill wrote:
>
> At Currawong Flat Royal National Park (south of Sydney) on 1st. June
> we
> witnessed some interesting behaviour by two Azure Kingfishers.
> They were both on the ground, a grassy bank beside the Hacking River.
> Standing close to and facing each other. They were bowing to each
> other,
> then flicking their wings occasionally. This behaviour continued for
> at
> least 5 minutes. Then they flew around each other in tight small
> circles
> just above the water surface, close to the bank. Water splashed up
> as they
> lightly touched the water surface. They landed on a small half
> submerged
> log and then facing each other again, they continued bowing to each
> other.
> This continued for another few minutes and then they flew again in
> tight
> small circles over the log once again touching the water. This action
> was
> repeated several times before each flew up and landed in separate
> trees
> nearby before flying off in different directions.
> Has anyone witnessed this behaviour?. It seemed different to the
> chasing
> flight of territorial behaviour, however, there are quite a few Azure
> Kingfishers along the river at present. This isn't usually their
> courting/nesting period although the drought may have had some effect,
> although the river level is fine. We would be interested to hear any
> pertinent comments. Judi & Neil Russill
>
> --------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Birding-Aus is now on the Web at
www.birding-aus.org
--------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message 'unsubscribe
birding-aus' (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|