On a walk at Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge the other day, the common yellowthroats were remarkably active, and vocal. Intensely vocal.
The males were establishing and contesting their territories at the wetland near Steamboat Island.
Male birds do not fight over females, they tussle over territory. It's the means to the end. Good real estate improves your chances with the ladies.
This concept was introduced into the science of ornithology by amateur birdwatcher Eliot Howard. He first writes about it in 1908, "Breeding territory is a matter of the greatest importance to the males, frequently leading to serious and protracted struggles when two of them are desirous of acquiring the same area." Howard later expanded his ideas in the 1920 landmark book "Territory in Bird Life."
For the yellowthroat, the most often used mnemonic to remember their song cadence is "wichety wichety wichety wich." But at one point in the 1800s he was known as the Maryland beseecher singing hotly, "I beseech you! I beseech you! I beseech you!" Which works perhaps even better since he seems to have something to emphatically proclaim. As if to say, “I beseech you! I beseech you! I beseech you! This is my place. Stay away! Go find your own.”
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4 comments:
"Good real estate improves your chances with the ladies." Wow I thought that was true in case of humans ...Didn't know birds are not less into material things. Funny !
Guess I need to get over there! This beautiful little guy would be a new one for me.
Hello Aby. I hope all is well for you. It's another cool, rainy morning here. Is New Delhi still hot?
Yes, with birds, territory is everything. The females look for the males that have acquired the best territory, in part because there is probably more food in it for her clutch but also it's a sign that he is a superior male, has chased away all rivals and will give her babies the best genes.
She really cares little for his machismo; she only wants what's best for her offspring. That's natural selection in action.
If he is killed, another male will quickly move in to claim and contest his lost territory.
Vickie.
Yes. You need to go. Seven Islands is well worth it. Last week the place was thick with indigo buntings, yellow-breasted chats and common yellow-throats. Just wonderful.
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