The chase

[Garry Coldwells]

I was enjoying watching these long-tailed ducks chasing the female around. I was somewhat surprised that they seemed frisky at this time of year. Is this normal for them to be competing for the females in the winter?

Their "dance" seems to consists of short little flights followed by posturing and flattening themselves to the waters level and circling her.

[John Chardine]

Good observation Garry. What you saw is quite normal for waterfowl. Unlike many other birds, waterfowl moult in the fall and go through an "eclipse" or intermediate plumage before returning to breeding plumage. That's why waterfowl generally look so bright and clean in the late fall. This is all in preparation for courtship and pairing through the winter. At this time males compete for mates, pair-up and protect their mates from other males. There are many hypotheses floating around about why waterfowl do this but one possibility relates to body condition and egg laying. Female waterfowl bring with them from the wintering grounds and migration routes, the energy they need to lay their eggs on the breeding grounds, in the form of fat and protein. In contrast many other species of bird migrate to breeding grounds and then put on weight in preparation for egg laying. Female body condition determines egg quality (size etc) and clutch size so on the wintering grounds, males protect their mates so that they can lay down the maximum amount of reserves for eventual egg laying. Anyway this is one idea but there are others.

[Garry Coldwells]

John,

Superb detail thank you. Your insight is greatly appreciated.

G