Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
showing that the weird buzzes andclicks are produced notvocally butbythe vibration of
thebirds'wingtips,whichcanmovefasterthanahummingbird'swings.The“moonwalk-
ing” Red-capped Manakins take a series of quick backward steps to achieve that Michael
Jackson effect.
Is the behavior innate or learned? In most manakin species, two unrelated males form
a partnership in which they sing and dance in a complex, coordinated pattern unique
to their species, like the red-cap's moonwalking. In a manakin partnership, one bird is
dominant and gets to mate with the majority of females. The other bird is a sort of ap-
prentice, apparently learning from the dominant male and perfecting his own display.
Q When I was walking my dog we came upon an injured Killdeer. At least it acted
injured. I thought I should bring it to a rehabber, so I followed it, but suddenly it
took off and flew away! One of my friends said Killdeer do that when they're nest-
ing. Was it really faking us out on purpose?
A
Killdeer and several other species of birds, from Ostriches to songbirds, perform a
dis-
traction display
when potential predators come near their eggs or chicks. Feigning injury
with loud calls and drooping wings, the bird hobbles persistently away from the young,
drawing a curious person or hopeful carnivore in a direction away from the nest. Killdeer
seem to match the speed of the approaching animal, moving more slowly when leading
people away than when leading dogs away.
Interestingly, Killdeer seem to modify this behavior for herbivores. A cow or bison is
unlikely to eat a Killdeer egg but very well may trample it, and cattle are not likely to
follow an injured bird regardless, so when a cow approaches a nesting Killdeer, the bird
squawks and attacks it. There is even one report of a Killdeer posting itself directly in
front of a nest, emitting a loud, high-pitched squawk, and parting a stampeding herd of
bison.
Birdsengaginginbroken-wingdistractiondisplaysperformmoreintenselyastheeggs
grow closer to hatching and as the chicks get older; the behavior ebbs as the young learn
to fly and are able to escape danger on their own.
