Thanks, Jim, for the thoughts about courtship vs. bonding.
You open up a topic worth musing about.

Is there a consensus about clearly distinguishing pair bonding
from courtship? I guess I tend to see the overlap of the two
activities, especially for my peregrines. For instance, the female
peregrine's begging behavior (calling and bowing) today looked
and sounded indistinguishable from what she does in breeding season--
except that she'd do it much more often while she's under the
influence of her raging spring hormones. But I'm not even
remotely an authority. Someone out there in Tweeterland, no
doubt, is.

Thanks, Jim Lyles

---------------------------------------------------

Responding to my note about seeing my downtown peregrines
engaging in what looked like courtship behavior, Jim Rosso
wrote:

>Or perhaps there is a non-sexual pair bonding that takes place
>in the off season. To me courtship means sex. The male courts the
>female for the purpose of procurring young. (I wish I had my Welty
>here) But I think that after the young are gone, (or at least the
>breeding time is over) there can still be a pair bonding that occurs.
>No, I am not being sentimental. Nor am I a romantic. But if Snow Geese
>can have group bonding then perhaps there are various other bonding
>procedures that can take place. I remember Dennis Paulson explaining
>that what seemed like rather late season courtship or territory defence
>in Golden Cr. Kinglets might have been feeding group hierarchy
maintenance
>behavior. (Is that a great phrase or what?) So its interesting to ponder
>what other kinds of communication might be happening.

-------------------------------------------------------------------