Learn the art of courtship from 10 Indian birds
For many of us, including your humble narrator, the art of
courting is still a puzzle that mankind does not seem to have a definite answer
to. But birdkind, in this regard (and of course, several other regards) has
proven to be far more sophisticated and superior. From the Bowerbird’s
designing of a ‘red carpet’ to impress his mate, to the expertly choreographed
mating dances of the Birds of Paradise, bird courtships are possibly the most
outstanding marvels of nature. As Valentine’s Week approaches, here are some very
handy courting lessons from 10 Indian birds that have mastered the act of
wooing-
1. The River Tern’s Gift to his Mate-
Presenting a rose is an age old courting tradition.
But the male River Tern replaces the obsolete rose with gifts of practical
value- he gets her mate her favourite fish! To lure females in the nesting
colony, he presents the ladies with his catch of the day. Even after the
‘I-love-yous’ have been exchanged and pair bonds formed, he feeds the female
before mating with her. Now that, is gifting like a true gentleman.
2. The Indian Roller’s Airborne Somersault-
(Disclaimer- the stunts in this scene have been
performed by trained professionals. Imitate at your own risk!) Nothing says, “You
make my world spin round” like the male Indian Roller’s courtship display- a series
of somersaults performed mid-air, displaying the sparkling blue spots on his
wings. This ‘rolling’ display is what gives the species its name. The Roller
woman obviously has a taste for raw action, and picks the best stuntman among
her suitors.
3. The Great Indian Bustard’s Inflated Neck-
This majestic species of our grasslands puts up a
gallant courtship display. After warding off rival males, the male inflates the
feathers on the neck which take the shape of a fluffy bag while the tail is held
out and raised upright. To make sure that the ladies are watching, he emanates
a deep, resonant, booming call that can be heard at a distance of 500 metres!
4. The Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Lark’s Aerial
Parabola-
Though a sober bird in appearance, the Sparrow Lark
goes to dynamic lengths (heights, actually) to woo his mate. He sings a
chirruping song, soaring up to a height, then slowly gliding down with closed
wings, and rising up again. The undulating display makes for an engaging
crescendo, both for the lady sparrow lark and the bird-watcher. Each time the
performer descends, he gives out a long, continuous whistle. Thankfully, the
art of whistling at the ladies is appreciated in the bird world!
5. The Lesser Florican’s High Jump-
Floricans live amidst tall grass and the only way to
grab female eyeballs in their habitat is the florican’s ingenious courtship
display. The long-legged male suddenly takes off from the grass vertically
upwards, emitting a croaking call, and then falling back. The leap is repeated
at every three minutes or so. The higher he is able to jump, the fitter he
appears to his ladies- a prerequisite to sexual selection.
6. The Baya
Weaver’s Aptitude for Architecture-
If you are a male Baya Weaver and you do not possess
a Masters in architecture, you’re doomed to be a bachelor for life. Famous for
building elaborate, pendulous nests, the breeding success of the weaver depends
on his weaving skill. The complex nest can take over 500 trips to complete.
Once it is partially built, the male begins to advertise by calling out to
potential mates. When a female passer-by takes interest, she first carefully
inspects the structure, and only if she finds it conducive to raise her young,
does she accept the proposal. The rest of the nest is built by the pair
together.
7. The Indian Peafowl’s Flamboyant Costume-
The peahen has a penchant for gaudy costumes and
over-the-top fashion design, and her man does not disappoint her in this
aspect. The extravagant ‘train’ of the male is actually comprised of feathers
growing from the back, and not the tail, as is the common misconception. This train of feathers marked with colourful
‘eyespots’ is held up and quivered in the famous courtship dance, that has
inspired writers and poets for centuries.
8. Role Reversal in the Greater Painted Snipe-
You might look at this dance and think that it’s just
another bird borrowing lessons from the peacock, but if you delve deeper,
there’s a surprise in store. In this species, it is the female who is the
performer and the male, the spectator! The female painted snipe sports the more
attractive plumage and her courtship display includes spreading her wings and
cocking up her tail. After mating and laying eggs, she leaves the male to look
after the eggs and raise the chicks, and repeats the same procedure with another
mate. The polyandrous female painted snipe can produce 3-4 clutches in a single
breeding season, all looked after by her ex-husbands!
9. The Sarus Cranes’ Trumpeting Duet-
It is no surprise that one of the most
endearing courtship dances comes from one of the most elegant birds in the
sub-continent. The chivalrous male Sarus initiates the duet by holding his
wings out and inviting his partner to join, emitting a loud, trumpeting call
that resonates across the grassland. Once the female joins, a remarkable
performance of song and dance ensues. Sarus cranes mate for life and are
revered as a symbol of marital fidelity in India.
10. The Great Crested Grebes’ Mid-water Ballet-
I have a habit of saving the best for the last, and
my show-stopper for today is the Great Crested Grebe. Grebes are freshwater
diving birds that feed on fish. Their courting dance is one of the most
remarkable avian performances, in which the pair first dives into the water and
emerges with plucked seaweed in the beaks. Then the male and the female come
together, press their breasts against one another and rise vertically from the
water, paddling furiously with the feet. While this happens, the couple gently
nudges one another with the seaweed held in the beak! Now that’s taking Pas de
deux to another level!
The series was first published on
National Geographic Traveller in 2015. Prints of the illustrations are available as a poster on my webstore
here. For orders within India, write to me on rohanchakcartoonist@gmail.com.
