I spend enough time with Pied-billed Grebes that it’s not often I see something new. Just over two weeks ago I did.
There were multiple grebes on the Farmington pond and as usual their behaviors would switch from lethargic to frenetic in a nanosecond. As I’ve said in a previous post they would run across the water (called “patter-flying) in groups but they weren’t chasing each other or trying to steal each other’s fish. There was occasional wing-quivering (rapid vibration of slightly open wings) which is a recognized aggressive (agonistic) behavior.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
But wing-flapping seemed to be the preferred behavior of the morning. I’m relatively sure this wasn’t done just for exercise or stretching muscles – it lasted too long and involved too many birds. I believe there is some behavioral significance to it though I have no idea what it may be.
This grebe is about to begin an extended wing-flap but just before it did it raised slightly in the water with elevated wings…
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
and then with its body still at an angle to the water it cupped and lowered its wings forward and held the position for a few moments. You can tell this isn’t part of the actual wing-flap (even at the very fast shutter speed of 1/4000 sec) because there’s no sign of impact between the wing-tips and the water. This is the pose I had never seen before and I wish I knew its significance.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Then the grebe commenced with a wing-flap and it was a very, very long one – so long that I took 23 images of it. I filled my buffer once, waited for it to recover, and then fired off another burst before it was over. I’m sure there was a behavioral component to this activity.
I’ll admit that I sometimes obsess with behaviors, even some that may be relatively insignificant.
I hope you’ll bear with me…
Ron
Ron, you have the most informative site I have come across on the web. I find myself coming back on a regular basis to see any new photos and observations. And your photos never disappoint!
You did capture my interest with this grebe’s behaviour. Grebes will lift their wings to show off the white underside feathers. Apparently this is a show of health to other crebes. Not sure why they do that, just something I found out. The second photo is apparently a cat pose, or so referenced. Varieties of grebes portray something called a cat attitude, which could be a cat pose followed by flapping. This could all be in preparation for the mating stage. This little guy could be letting the competition know that he means business!
Keep up the fantastic blog.
You made some interesting observations/comments, Moe. I’d never heard of the “cat pose” or the “show of health” and I’ve done a bit of research so I find what you said very interesting.
Thank you for the kind words and the encouragement – much appreciated!
Fantastic shots and very interesting behavior Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Pulled out the Encyclopedia of North American Birds, but did not find anything related to this behavior there. I have not seen this behavior, but will try to replicate your “finding”.
Dave
I wish you “replication” luck, Dave. Please let me know if you’re successful.
I share, and benefit, from your behavioural obsessions. Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback, Elephant’s Child.
Ron, it reminds me of a great photo I saw recently where a black egret made a shade umbrella over the water with its wings as a lure for prey fish to think it was cover/safety. (It was on Facebook; sorry I couldn’t figure out how to link the image here).
Nala, I know of that behavior in some egrets and herons (it’s called canopy feeding) but I’m almost positive it wasn’t what was going on here. I see the similarity in the wing position though. Thank you.
Ron, I’m sure that any behavior that lasts that long, so using up that much energy, must be signifying something to somebody. I know diddly about grebe behavior! However it is February and the days are getting longer. I’d have to suspect that the message is a variation of “Hey, Baby! Look at ME! HOT STUFF!”
That could very well be it, Mikal.
Do you think it’s possible that the Olympics could have inspired that grebe to try a “muscle man ” pose???
Ha! You’re right, that’s sort of what it looks like.
Ron–Please, Please, PLEASE! PLEEEEEASE keep “obsessing with behavior”!!! I love that second frame with that strange mantling wing position…never saw that before..very graceful,.very interesting! Proves you never know what you’re going to see if you keep yourself out there, are quiet, patient, and lucky!
Don’t worry, Patty, I won’t quit. Thanks for the encouragement.
Not obsessive, just very precise when describing your observations, which I appreciate.
Lovely photos.
It’s nice to know I’m not quite anal about behaviors, Nancy. Thank you.
beautiful!!
Thank you, Lois.
Exquisite!
Thanks, Alison.
Beautiful. I love the colors … and interesting observance. Hopefully one of your expert viewers know the significance.
Patricia, Yes, it would be very interesting if someone knows the significance but I did some research and came up empty so it’s probably a long shot…