FJ4

3/30/2021
Start Time: 8:30 am 

End Time: 10:20 am
Location: Chimney Point State Park
Weather: ~20º F, 5-10 mph wind, no precipitation
Habitats: open water surrounded by open, scrubby field with some large trees near museum building and along adjacent shore of lake

The geese, ducks, and gulls I observed had formed flocks. The groups were noticeably separated by species but were loosely associated with each other. Communication appeared to be largely audial; the geese in particular were constantly honking amongst each other, and the gulls were also quite vocal. It’s possible that they were simply trying to keep track of their partners in such a large group; Canada geese form their pair bonds through winter and spring, so this chatter may have been keeping in touch with a partner, or even attempts to attract a partner.
Male Lesser Scaups and Common Goldeneyes share alternate plumages with very similar color schemes; both have black heads and tails, white bodies, and darker backs. Male Common Goldeneyes, however, have very noticeable white patches in front of their eyes that male Lesser Scaups lack. This high-contrast alternate plumage likely serves to make the males more obvious as they attempt to attract mates. Both birds also have a noticeable iridescence to their head feathers; these structural colors also likely evolved to catch the attention of females. Ducks are generally social, and form large wintering flocks, making competition for females high and making adaptations that increase one’s likelihood of attracting a female highly beneficial.
I observed at least two geese engaging in courtship activity, extending their necks and opening their bills in unison. At this time in their circannual cycle, Canada geese are traveling back to their breeding grounds and establishing and strengthening pair bonds.
Unfortunately I did not encounter any chickadees or foraging flocks on this trip, and I did not attempt to try spishing with the ducks or geese. The blackbirds were flyovers, and the starlings and grackle were only brief visitors, so I did not attempt spishing with them either. Spishing is meant to imitate the alarm or mobbing calls of chickadees; these calls often entice other individuals to investigate the source of this mobbing, and therefore they can be imitated to attract a variety of different species.

Publicado el marzo 21, 2021 04:25 TARDE por gracey4