Table 1.
Behavior | Description |
---|---|
Pairing | |
Clumping* | Male and female perch in physical contact, facing the same direction |
Individual in proximity of another* | Male or female moves to perch less than a body width apart; they face the same direction |
Preening* | One individual cleans another's feathers with beak |
Reproductive | |
Tail quiver | Rapid back and movement of the tail. In the female often associated with a bowed position on the perch, but also may be performed by males following copulation |
Attempted mount | Male perches at least briefly on the back of the female, but no cloacal contact is observed |
Copulation | Male perches on the back of the female and cloacal contact is observed |
Beak wipe | Beak is moved back and forth in a rhythmic fashion along the perch |
Other | |
Directed singing* | Male produces song facing the female |
Undirected singing* | Male produces the song, but is not facing the female |
Beak fencing | Male and female swipe beaks with each other, can be an aggressive behavior |
Approach | Direct movement toward the other individual with an upright posture (often followed by clumping or courtship behavior) |
Frequencies were assessed for all; durations were also measured for the behaviors with an asterisk.