Subject: RE: courtship behavior
Date: Aug 12 12:22:42 1998
From: "James R Lyles III, Technical Editor, Tacoma, WA "<jrlyles at usgs.gov> - "James R Lyles III, Technical Editor, Tacoma, WA "<jrlyles at usgs.gov>



Surely, it's just a coincidence.

But just after I had read Hugh Jennings' message about the
Sharp-shinned Hawks engaging in what looked like courtship,
I took my lunch break and went looking for my downtown
Tacoma Peregrines.

The female had landed a few feet away from the male and
was giving what sounded like her usual begging call.
After a few seconds of this racket, he up and flew off--
whether to fetch some lunch for her or just to get away,
I couldn't say.

I'm guessing that Deborah Raymond might be right--that
resident birds do engage in out-of-season courtship.

--cheers, Jim Lyles