Flights of fancy

Not too long ago I was stopped in traffic on the 101 Freeway. Ironically I rejoiced, as the traffic gave me time to slow down and watch the vultures circling ahead. Appreciating the graceful ease of such large birds soaring through the air, I wondered what the vultures smelled. Was there prey nearby?

I also appreciated the pastime of bird watching. In the heart of the San Fernando Valley with thousands of people, cars and buildings; nature also surrounded me.

Bird-watching is fantastic, it can be done anywhere; in parking lots, while driving, waiting for appointments and certainly in the wilderness. For every habitat and environment, some species of bird has adapted to make that area their home. One step is learning to identify birds, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. A practiced watcher recognizes the different calls of individual species and will begin to interpret the meaning of different behaviors.

Spring is one of my favorite times to watch birds. As with all species of wildlife (including humans), hormones seem to be running high and there are elaborate displays from birds desperately trying to get the attention of the opposite sex.

MY FRIEND FLICKER- A northern flicker waits, poised and ready to react. The author observed three male flickers engaged in an elaborate dance, probably a competition for dominance. Flickers usually mate for life and return to the same breeding grounds each year.

Yesterday I watched a male pigeon almost run himself ragged for the interest of a female. He puffed himself up so that his iridescent colors stood out in the bright sunlight while he danced circles in front of her. All the while he loudly cooed his desire. The female then flew off with the male in hot pursuit.

For most birds, late winter and early spring signal a time of mating, which coincides with a new molt. All of the birds' winter feathers are exchanged for newer brightly colored plumage. This molt is called breeding plumage or alternate plumage. In fall birds undergo another molt where only the head and body feathers are replaced. Some birds also undergo a partial molt after breeding season, replacing their bright feathers with drab colors so as not to attract attention while attending young.

Showing off

In addition to color changes in spring, bird watchers also notice elaborate displays in behavior. These displays can be divided between visual displays and auditory displays. While it is difficult to describe auditory displays in written word, visual behaviors you may see are the flashing long white feathers of the great egret or the dance of the western grebe. Hummingbirds take huge dives earthward whistling their way down and at the last minute turn skyward, completing a huge circle. Red-tailed hawks soar in circles around each other with legs down, letting out piercing cries.

Recently I was privy to a display I had not yet seen, that of the northern red-shafted flicker, Colaptes auratus. Three males were hopping around each other on a juniper. Although they were silent, their communication was poignant. Each male's tail feathers fanned out, the sunlight flashing contrasts of black and red/pink. In addition, bills were pointed upward and necks were stretched long.

Each bird shuffled on the branch and then hopped close to another. Although never touching, they were vying for dominance; each trying to gain prominence over the other.

I diligently looked for a nearby female but could not find her. Accidentally I startled the birds and they flew off to another tree and began the ritual again, this time with loud boisterous calls and bill drumming.

Why the display?

Returning home I began reading about flicker behavior. The display observed is used for two purposes. Between males it is generally about competition for a mate or, rarely, over territory. When this behavior is displayed between a male and a female it indicates courtship. Thus when watching this display it is important to be able to distinguish males from females.

The northern flicker grows to approximately 12.5 inches with a wingspan of 20 inches. There is little size difference between males and females. The breast is tan with black spots and a broad black chest band. The back and wings are brownish with black banding. When flying a white rump is exposed. The undersides nteraction

of the tail and wings are red/ pink.

The head is gray with a tan face; being a species of woodpecker, the flicker's bill is long and sturdy. On the face, males have a prominent red streak stretching from the base of the bill across their cheek. This streak is absent in females.

As flickers usually mate for life and return to the same breeding grounds year after year, territory and courtship displays are prominent this time of year and will continue until about one week before the nestlings fledge in May through July.

Watching these birds dance their intentions, I am struck by the beauty of their communication as they flash their colors and drum their creed. I ponder what dances humanity displays to proclaim intentions.