The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
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I witnessed wonderful and intimate moments between two species of birds. I’ll start with the smallest (not the species in the title photo).
Killdeer are loud, little and active birds that makes them irresistible. I had the pleasure of watching (and filming) the courtship rites of a male enticing a female. Like many species, there is a display of color, specific calls and special skills to get the female’s attention. The photo below shows the tail fanned out (which quivers when displayed) while the male bows.
The male has one more trick to lure the female to him. He will create a nest site for their eggs. He does this by resting on his chest and kicking (displacing debris) to create a circular depression. While the nest site is being constructed, the female will inspect. If she approves, she will offer herself to the male.
The video shows a portion of the next building and courtship.
1 minute video
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The nest depression is usually on sandy soil with gravel (in this case the edge of a road). The larger stones are kicked out to make a border and expose the sand.
The depression is often shallow enough to prevent the eggs from showing a profile.
I edited the next video with the audio reduced and the speed increased so you can see the male’s technique of excavating the nest site. His powerful tiny legs push a lot of material in a short period as he rotated in the “bowl”.
I did not film the actual mating (performed later) but know this couple will have a clutch of eggs soon.
1:28 minute video
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The second pair of birds will be easier to observe because of their size and the obvious nest.
The nest site is constructed in a Pine that has a 30 inch diameter (breast height) and about 40 feet within the top branches.
The female arrived with some final touches to line the nest.
16 second video
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After the female arranged the nest lining, she left to hunt.
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When I first noticed the Eagles (two weeks ago) I thought the female was sitting on eggs. I now know that she was protecting the nest site after she and her mate took possession. Soon, there will be eggs, then chicks and a lot of activity. I hope to record some of those moments.
I hope you will share your own moments while Spring brings new possibilities.