Field Observation 6: Reproductive Ecology and Evolution

Time: 11:00-2:00
Date: 4/22/19
Location: Shelburne Farms, Shelburne VT
Weather: Sunny, 60 degrees F
Habitat: Open meadow, forest edges, sparse trees, shrubs, wetland, lake

One of the most obvious mating related behavior I saw today was while I was watching Red-winged Blackbirds interact. There were many Red-winged Blackbirds in the trees adjacent to wetland habitat. They were all males singing and making calls, setting up their territories. While watching them, I noticed birds flying towards other birds that were perched, forcing the perched birds to fly away. This happened repeatedly. This male-male competition is for the best possible mating territory.

At the water, I saw a male and female Bufflehead together. I suspect they had recently paired up or found each other again in preparation for the breeding season. In this case, they had already selected each other as mates, so I did not witness the process of mate selection.

Both the Brown-headed Cowbird and the Eastern Bluebird that I saw were perched high up in trees singing. This behavior is either for setting up territories or singing to females once a territory is already established. I also saw this behavior today in Song Sparrows.

I also saw Ospreys which had built their nest on the man-made platform close to the Shelburne Farms visitor center. In this case, the pair had already paired up as well.

The nesting requirements for the species I saw today vary wildly. The Brown-headed Cowbird is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nest of another bird species. Buffleheads nest in tree cavities made by woodpeckers. I noticed many cavities in trees in the woods nearby which would be ideal for the Buffleheads I observed. Red-winged Blackbirds build nests in trees, shrubs, or wetland vegetation low down in or near a wetland habitat. There was a lot of possible nesting habitat in cattails and shrubs in the wetland near the lake.

Mini-activity: During the course of my walk, I heard birds nonstop in all directions. I stopped to listen for an extended period of time in an area by woods and field. I heard at least 5 different species. It was difficult distinguishing all the sings and calls but I recognized American Crow, American Robin, Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird.

Publicado el abril 22, 2019 07:42 TARDE por samuelmcclellan samuelmcclellan

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