Field Journal 4: Social Behavior and Phenology

Date: 3/20/2021
Start: 9:30
End: 11:00
Location: heading South from the Echo center
Weather: 40 degrees F, 8 mph South winds
Habitat: waterfront, sand bars, patches of trees, buildings, parking lots, bike path, docks

Rock Pigeons were the first observed species at the Echo center circle by the waterfront park. There were two individuals walking around and pecking at the ground for food. When either of them found a good spot, the other would follow. There was not much verbal communication between the two but more physical communication. We walked toward the South side of the Echo center and saw several Mallards and a couple of Common Mergansers. There were two female Mergansers and one male. The male had a brownish-orange colored tuft atop its head while the females had a dark colored head and greyish-white body. Males may have this plumage as an evolutionary advantage to attract female mates, on the other hand, females may have a duller coloration in order to camouflage while caring for the eggs. While the male went along, diving for food, the females seemed to follow, possibly interested in this male and observing his actions.

Further South on the bike path, past the King street docks, there was a sand bar where Mallards and Ring-billed Gulls were stationed. Both species seemed to be thermoregulating and resting for energy to feed or mate later. They were mostly sitting facing the direction the wind was blowing in order to keep their feathers close to their body for warmth. The few that were walking around were some male and female Mallards. One of the females was grooming and fluffing her feathers up when a male started to walk toward her and shake his tail feathers, possibly doing so to attempt to attract her. She was uninterested and continued to preen. The male Mallard has a bright yellow bill, a bright green head, and bright orange legs. The females have a speckled brown plumage with bright orange legs. The male Mallard, just like the male Merganser, likely has this vibrant plumage in order to attract mates, while the female Mallard has dull earthy colors to blend in with their environment for nesting.

Ring-billed Gulls seemed to have almost no difference in plumages between male and female. They did, however, have a lot of verbal communication. One Gull seemed to be territorial as it was raising it's wings and making a call while standing on the sand bar. Another Gull flew around the sandbar and called down to the others, possibly signaling to come with them. Others called back and followed suit as they flew toward the water and searched for food together. In the distance, their calls to each other can still be heard, possibly communicating about where to find food.

Nearing the end of our trip, we tried spishing in a patch of cedars. Some European Starlings, Black-capped Chickadees, and some Ring-billed Gulls were surrounding this area. They all seemed unaffected by the sounds we were making. This may be because there was a water treatment area nearby which created a lot of noise. It may be more beneficial to do the spishing activity in an area with less disturbance. In the last journal, I was able to successfully attract Chickadees and Crows by using this method. These birds may have been interested in the sound because it sounds like an intimidating call to keep predators away and it would be beneficial for them to be near this sound.

Julkaistu maaliskuu 21, 2021 04:09 IP. käyttäjältä