Subject: Copulation in flight
Date: Jul 22 16:48:07 1996
From: Steve Bouricius - Bourici at gj.net


At 09:40 AM 7/22/96 -0800, Dennis Paulson wrote:
>I agree with Michael that the swifts were probably mating (=copulating).

>Probably all swifts copulate in flight, the only birds to do so.



Hi Dennis,

I've seen both Black Swifts and White-throated Swifts copulate in flight
here in Colorado, and found they're not the only birds to do so.

One time, I watched American Dippers copulate in flight, then free fall,
still engaged, and continue copulating while floating down a stream. Yes,
I'm sure they were copulating--have seen dippers do it dozens of times,
usually on rocks in the stream or while floating. Perhaps other birds like
a bit of variety in their lovemaking too.


Steve Bouricius
Palisade, Colorado
bourici at gj.net The Dipper Box
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