![\"sage](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sage-thrasher-0010-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMale Sage Thrashers perform what is called the\u00a0“Bilateral Wing Display” during courtship and territory establishment. Yesterday morning I was able to photograph the behavior on Antelope Island and though I wish I’d been a little closer I had decent light, a pretty good view of the bird and he performed for me for several minutes so I shouldn’t complain.<\/p>\n
Just prior to the wing display the male makes a short flight (up to 10 consecutive times) in undulating circles low over the sagebrush and singing all the while before landing.\u00a0These short flights are part of the courtship\u00a0behavior and are called “undulating flights”.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0\u00a01\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n When he\u00a0lands on the sagebrush after the flight he raises one or both wings and flutters them while continuing to sing and this part of the performance is what’s called the Bilateral Wing Display. Here the bird has raised both wings, one higher than the other,\u00a0and is singing enthusiastically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Sometimes during the behavior only a single wing is raised but he continues to sing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n At times both wings are raised equally…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0and occasionally he bows his head during the process.\u00a0 Usually when he did this his head was in shade but this time I was able to get some light on the face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n He spent quite a bit of time with his back to me during the display but in this shot he looked back at me and I like the pose. These two behaviors\u00a0cease at nest-building and egg-laying which strongly suggests their role in courtship but some researchers believe they may also play a role in territory establishment and maintenance.<\/p>\n Whatever\u00a0their precise purpose I was delighted to observe both behaviors and photograph the wing display.\u00a0You can bet I’ll be\u00a0trying to\u00a0get a little closer before the behaviors are over for the season.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n PS – Spring has sprung on the island!\u00a0 Yesterday morning I saw my first of year Long-billed Curlews (two in flight), \u00a0American Avocets (two flocks of\u00a0over 100 birds total)\u00a0and Tree Swallows and even watched a male Northern Harrier “sky dancing” in his\u00a0attempts to entice a female. Got my photographic juices flowing…<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Male Sage Thrashers perform what is called the “Bilateral Wing Display” during courtship and territory establishment. Yesterday morning I was able to photograph the behavior on Antelope Island and though I wish I’d been a little closer I had decent light, a pretty good view of the bird and he performed for me for several minutes so I shouldn’t complain.<\/p>\n![\"sage](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sage-thrasher-0127-ron-dudley.jpg\")
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