Dancing Bluebird

From the moment this flashy male Mountain Bluebird landed on a weathered and sun-bleached Montana fencepost he seemed hyped-up and twitchy.

 

mountain bluebird 3606 ron dudley

He looked me over carefully to make sure I was trustworthy…

 

 

mountain bluebird 3609 ron dudley

and then began a performance I’d never before witnessed.  He’d raise his wings and then…

 

 

mountain bluebird 3613 ron dudley

drop them.

 

 

mountain bluebird 3614 ron dudley

Several times he came completely off the perch.

 

 

mountain bluebird 3616 ron dudley

At times he looked like he was performing a dosey doe.

 

 

mountain bluebird 3624 ron dudley

He ended with a flourish by spreading his tail.

I’m unsure of what prompted this display.  There was a bit of a breeze but I don’t believe it was enough to destabilize him on the perch.  His mate was in the vicinity and perhaps he was displaying for her or maybe it was some kind of territorial visual cue for other bluebirds.  I simply don’t know.

But if he was really dancing I didn’t hear the music…

Ron

Note:  I’m on the road again and will be for much of the week.  I’ll have no computer access on this trip so I won’t be able to respond to any comments that may be made (though I do get them via phone email and enjoy reading them while I’m in the field).

10 Comments

  1. Been away for a short while and this is what I come home to…can’t believe my luck! Ron,you do lead a charmed life and we are the beneficiaries. Who else could capture some of the behaviors you do. Fascinating! You didn’t hear the music, but he sure did…there’s little doubt he was dancing. I love blue, blue birds especially…you caught the subtle range of blues in this piece of the sky, from the cerulean ble on his breast to the cyan and cobalt on his body…love it!

  2. Jane Chesebrough

    Ron, you are hitting the jackpot with the behaviouralphotos. Hes is so beautiful and a dose of comedy added to boot!

  3. Oooooh! Mega thanks. And I think if I was that beautiful I would dance too.

  4. Amazing! These are great photos of one of my very favorite birds. Mysteries are so wonderful.

  5. I love these photos – they are amazing! They show the true beauty of the bird as well as the unusual behavior.

  6. Charlotte Norton

    Whatever is was, it made for some sensational pictures! Thanks for ssharing Ron!
    Charlotte

  7. Ron,
    I heard joyful music when I saw your photos–esp the dosey doe.
    Thanks

  8. I love it!! Maybe he was just having an exceptionally good morning.

  9. That is so cool! Bird behaviors can be extremely interesting. Great pics!

Comments are closed