4. Pairing, mating

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marika.solo
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4. Pairing, mating

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Pairing, mating, copulation - reserved

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marika.solo
Site Admin
Posts: 10253
Joined: 29 Sep 2021, 09:38

Re: Pairing, mating

Post by marika.solo »

Pairing, mating, copulation - reserved

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marika.solo
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Posts: 10253
Joined: 29 Sep 2021, 09:38

Re: Pairing, mating

Post by marika.solo »

Form and function of aerial courtship displays in Black Storks Ciconia nigra

Hitherto unknown aerial courtship displays of Black Storks Ciconia nigra recorded for the most part during population surveys in northern and eastern
Austria between 1979-1991 are described. Aerial displays were seen mainly during early stages of the breeding cycle in April till mid-May (Fig. 1). They
are characterized by mates soaring tight together in a highly synchronized manner above the nest-site or in other parts of the home range (Parallel
Soaring). Additionally, melodious flight calls are given by both partners and the white undertail-coverts are widely spread. Occasionally soaring birds were seen whiffling or performing simultaneous darting flights (Fig. 3). According to (1) the regular participation of both breeding partners, (2) their regular performance around nest sites and/or within home ranges, (3) their largely restricted occurrence during early stages of the breeding cycle as well as (4) by their specific pattern of stereotyped and elaborated behavioural elements (Parallel Soaring, Displaying the Undertail-Coverts, Flight Calls, Whiffling and Darting Flights) ceremonial flights in Black Storks may generally operate as highly ritualised courtship flights. Thus, analogous to aerial displays in other large forest-living birds – like in many raptors – they may help in pointing out nest-sites to potential mates, stimulate pair formation and assist in spacing by discouraging other birds from settling close. The highly elaborated courtship flights in Black Storks seem to be unique within the “typical” storks of the tribe Ciconiini and coincide with the solitary nesting habit of the species within the closed canopies of heavily wooded areas.

Sackl, Peter. (2000). Form and function of aerial courtship displays in Black Storks Ciconia nigra. Acrocephalus. 21. 223 - 229.
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