{"id":8156,"date":"2015-01-20T20:43:56","date_gmt":"2015-01-20T20:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/?p=8156"},"modified":"2023-05-24T17:22:24","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T21:22:24","slug":"what-to-watch-for-duck-courtship-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/what-to-watch-for-duck-courtship-video\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recognize Duck Courtship Displays"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-embed legacy-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio alignright\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube embed bmp8e9_Fa50\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bmp8e9_Fa50?feature=oembed\"><\/iframe><\/div><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As winter\u2019s chill sets in, ducks are heating things up. Winter is the season when many ducks pick their mate for the year. Our featured video gives you a <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/bmp8e9_Fa50\">mash-up of some of the best duck mating behaviors<\/a> from the Cornell Lab&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/\">Macaulay Library<\/a>. Watch for these behaviors on neighborhood ponds, lakes, and rivers that don\u2019t freeze over.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sidebar-alignright sidebar-space order-bottom\"><!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code --><span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\"><span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\" id=\"hs-cta-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\"><!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]--><a href=\"http:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/95627\/a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\" ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/95627\/a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3.png\"  alt=\"New self-paced course: Learn How to Identify Bird Songs, Click to Learn More\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a><\/span><script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> hbspt.cta.load(95627, 'a8fe3c9a-217b-40fd-b1ff-2bb76ebe2cf3', {}); <\/script><\/span><!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\r\n<!--<span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\">\r\n    <span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\" id=\"hs-cta-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\">-->\r\n        <!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]-->\r\n        <!--<a href=\"http:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/95627\/394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\"  target=\"_blank\" ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/95627\/394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd.png\"  alt=\"Join the Cornell Lab\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\r\n    <\/span>\r\n    <script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script>\r\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n        hbspt.cta.load(95627, '394b2cc2-4447-4677-b18b-d2f2de5b57cd', {});\r\n    <\/script>\r\n<\/span>-->\r\n<!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Most species of ducks find a different mate each year. Many waterfowl pair bonds form between the months of December and March on the wintering grounds or during spring migration, which is different from songbirds that find their mate after they arrive on their breeding grounds spring.<\/p>\n<p>In waterfowl mating, it\u2019s the female\u2019s choice. Groups of males perform for the female, and she picks her favorite drake with the best plumage and the best display. Some waterfowl species have some incredible courtship moves, such as the Head-Throw-Kick performed by Common Goldeneye and the Salute-Curtsy signature move of a Red-breasted Merganser. These are ritualized behaviors\u2014 members of the same species perform the same display that is hard-wired into their genetic makeup. Courtship displays range from elaborate postures to subtle gestures that you may notice only if you are watching for them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Commonly Seen Mallard Courtship Behaviors<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To see duck courtship in action, find a group of Mallards and take a minute to watch what they are doing. Most of the time they\u2019ll probably be feeding or resting, but if they\u2019re actively swimming around, watch for these behaviors.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-8206 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/P10-Head-pumpingNARROW-1024x288.jpg\" alt=\"P10-Head-pumpingNARROW\" width=\"335\" height=\"94\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"clearfix\"><strong>Head-Pumping:<\/strong> Males and females rhythmically bob their heads. This display is often repeated and followed by mating.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-8207 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/P10-Head-up-Tail-upNARROW-1024x268.jpg\" alt=\"P10-Head-up-Tail-upNARROW\" width=\"335\" height=\"88\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"clearfix\"><strong>Head-Up-Tail-Up: <\/strong>With a loud whistle, the drake pulls his wings and tail up, shows off his purple-blue secondaries and compresses his body. This is a quick gesture, often given by males in a group to impress the female.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-8204 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/P10-Grunt-whistle-1024x318.png\" alt=\"P10 Grunt-whistle\" width=\"335\" height=\"104\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"clearfix\"><strong>Grunt-Whistle:<\/strong> A one-second display where the male raises out of the water, pulls his head up, and gives a remarkable whistle, followed by a grunt as he moves back into a normal posture. Often given by groups of males to show off for females.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-8208 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/P10-Nod-swimmingNARROW-1024x231.jpg\" alt=\"P10-Nod-swimmingNARROW\" width=\"335\" height=\"76\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"clearfix\"><strong>Nod-Swimming:<\/strong> A male or female swims rapidly for a short distance with its neck held low, just grazing the surface of the water. Females use it to express they are interested in courtship and stimulate the nearby males to display. Males perform this display during bouts of Head-Up-Tail-Up display and immediately after mating.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n              <figure class=\"size-small alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/CGoldeneye-Wermeskerken.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><figcaption>A Common Goldeneye performs a Head-Throw-Kick. <em> Photo by Cos van Wermeskerken\/GBBC<\/em>.<\/figcaption>\n              <\/figure>\n            <\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Looking for Ducks This Winter? <\/strong>Over the course of the winter waterfowl shift south as frigid lakes of Canada and the northern U.S. freeze over. National Wildlife Refuges, coastal bays, reservoirs, and warm-water outflows can have incredible duck concentrations! Check out <a href=\"http:\/\/ebird.org\">eBird<\/a> under the \u2018Explore Data\u2019 tab for recent sightings near you.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Find out more about ducks and bird courtship:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/2014\/11\/21\/simple-steps-for-identifying-confusing-brown-ducks-females-and-otherwise\/\">Simple Steps for Identifying Confusing Brown Ducks\u2014Females and Otherwise<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/2011\/07\/08\/courtship-on-the-tundra\/\">Courtship on the Tundra\u2014Spoon-billed Sandpipers [Field Report]<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Read all about duck courtship behaviors and more in <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/home\">Birds of the World<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Check out the Lab&#8217;s online course <a href=\"http:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/courses\/courtship\/\">Courtship &amp; Rivalry in Birds<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As winter\u2019s chill sets in, ducks are heating things up. Winter is the season when many ducks pick their mate for the year. Our featured video gives you a mash-up<a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/what-to-watch-for-duck-courtship-video\/\" title=\"ReadHow to Recognize Duck Courtship Displays\">&#8230; Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":58061,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_birdpress_living_bird_toc":0,"_birdpress_living_bird_toc_title":"","_birdpress_featured_image":false,"_birdpress_hero_toggle":false,"_birdpress_hero_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_image_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_style":"default","_birdpress_hero_ratio":"","_birdpress_hero_h1":"","_birdpress_hero_media_id":0,"_birdpress_hero_media_array_id":[],"_birdpress_hero_media_array":[],"_birdpress_hero_media":0,"_birdpress_hero_video_id":0,"_birdpress_hero_video":0,"_birdpress_hero_youtube":"","_birdpress_hero_content":true,"_birdpress_hero_byline":"","_birdpress_hero_byline_bottom":"","_birdpress_hero_button_link":"","_birdpress_hero_button_text":"","_birdpress_hero_button_color":"","_birdpress_hero_date":false,"original_guid":"","_birdpress_hide_search":false,"_birdpress_page_width":"","_birdpress_global_cta":false,"_birdpress_widget_sidebar":"","_birdpress_next_article":0,"_birdpress_next_article_title":"","_birdpress_prev_article":0,"_birdpress_prev_article_title":"","_birdpress_sub_navigation_id":0,"_birdpress_sub_navigation":"","_birdpress_sub_navigation_title":false,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation_id":0,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation":"","_birdpress_postType":"both","_birdpress_categoryID":0,"_birdpress_tagID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostTitle":"","_birdpress_menuID":0,"_birdpress_menuName":"","_birdpress_listHeader":"","_birdpress_listLayout":"card-display","_birdpress_listColumns":"","_birdpress_maxItems":12,"_birdpress_listPaginate":true,"_birdpress_displaySort":true,"_birdpress_sortOrder":"DESC","_birdpress_sortBy":"date","_birdpress_listID":"","_birdpress_listClass":"","_birdpress_displayImages":true,"_birdpress_displayCaptions":false,"_birdpress_displayExcerpts":false,"_birdpress_attTop":"","_birdpress_attBottom":"","_birdpress_showLogos":false,"_birdpress_post_logo":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_topic":0,"wds_primary_content-format":0,"wds_primary_cornell-lab-project":0,"wds_primary_host-project":0,"wds_primary_read-more-tag":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,1],"tags":[107,170,236,254,285,561],"topic":[1033,997,1042,1034,998],"content-format":[1055,1057],"cornell-lab-project":[],"host-project":[],"read-more-tag":[1146],"class_list":["post-8156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birds","category-uncategorized","tag-behavior","tag-breeding","tag-common-goldeneye","tag-courtship","tag-duck","tag-mallard","topic-behavior-biology","topic-biology","topic-bird-watching-news-and-features","topic-nesting-breeding","topic-news-and-features","content-format-article","content-format-video","read-more-tag-evergreen"],"metadata":{"_edit_last":["4"],"wdsi_do_not_show":[""],"_wpas_done_all":["1"],"hs_social":["1421786636000"],"_thumbnail_id":["58061"],"associated-posts":[""],"dsq_thread_id":["4029504125"],"_edit_lock":["1730749862:2"],"custom-byline":["<em>By 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