Further to Constance's note about Homofanus, we also see flocks of different
species of Homofanus in Canada. They appear about the same time and include
H. lioni,
H. alouettei, H. eskomoei, H argonautii and so forth.

September seems to mark the start of the bleeding season for another species
that Homofanus associates with - Homograndus thickneckii. This is a
curious species where as part of the bleeding ritual, groups of males from
widely separate territories line up in a squat position and face each other.
Immediately following the barking of a coded set of vocalizations by the
alpha male, the largest males launch themselves at each other and butt
heads. The smaller males sprint in ritual patterns to await receipt of
special marker that is hurled at them by the alpha male. Successful capture
of the marker moves the entire ritual to a new location on the lek.

Failure to move the marker an adequate distance after 3 or 4 attempts
(northern populations make only 3 attempts) results in a complete reversal
of the behavior. The group of Homograndus males not from the home lek, takes
over the ritual of marking the site of the bleeding behavior. The alpha
male from that group barks the vocalizations which, by the way, are not
understood by the other group of H. thickneckii. The geographic isolation of
the populations has allowed the evolution of totally separate vocalizations
used in the bleeding ritual. The vocalizations are complex and never used
twice.

The entire spectacle is watched by Homofanus sp. from the perimeter of the
lek, and this causes great excitement.

At the end of all of this behavior which lasts a few hours at most, all of
the male Homograndus flock together at designated watering holes in hopes
that female Homofanus wil be there in breeding condition. At these sites,
Homograndus populations share the same vocalizations,and completely
understand each other. They also share the same vocalizations with
Homofanus, due to convergent evolution that favors breeding.
At this point, pairing off may occur. Male Homofanus may also frequent the
watering holes in hopes of pairing off with female Homofanus who fail to
attract a Homograndus.
Paired individuals retire to secret sites where breeding behavior can, in
rare circumstances, lead to lifelong pair bonds being formed. Polygamy is
common within these species groups.

Except in very rare circumstances amongst juveniles, female Homograndus
thickneckii are unknown. Females seem to vanish from the population about
the time full adult plumage is attained. This forces breeding attempts
between 2 completely separate genera -Homograndus and Homofanus.
Homophobia amongst Homograndus males is virtually complete, and tends to
dominate amongst Homofanus males as well.

I hope you enjoy the season right up until we get to those bleeding bowl
games.

Rick Howie
Kamloops, BC
rick.howie at shaw.ca