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Bird Watching
robins_egg_blue

QUESTION: About odd behavior of nesting Robins.

12 years ago

I observed a pair of American Robins displaying an interesting behavior.

The female was sitting on her nest, and the male was next to the nest. Both birds had their mouths open, and their feathers fluffed. The male was breathing heavily. They made no sounds. The two would touch beaks, then the male would turn his back to the female for a minute and "un-fluff" - only to repeat the process of fluffing up, touching beaks, and turning around. This process went on for at least ten minutes before the male flew away.

What type of behavior was this?

Comments (9)

  • 12 years ago

    The beak touch.

  • 12 years ago

    Turning away.

  • 12 years ago

    Alternate beak touch.

    This post was edited by Robins_Egg_Blue on Mon, May 19, 14 at 0:13

  • 12 years ago

    It might be some sort of bonding gesture. Your pics are stunning and captures the whole experience for us to see. Thank you so much.

  • 12 years ago

    Wonderful pictures! I searched and found references to "Ceremonial Gaping" in robins.

    "Courtship includes courtship feeding, where the male feeds the female; ceremonial gaping, where the males and females approach each other and touch widely opened bills; and singing."

    Hinterland Who's Who

    Claire

  • 12 years ago

    Aww how cute lol

  • 12 years ago

    Just curious if it's real hot where you live? Do they keep their mouths open even if the temp isn't real hot?

  • 12 years ago

    Claire:

    Thank you for the information!

    Catherinet:

    I am in Ohio. It hasn't been getting up much higher than the 70s lately - but I have seen the female with her mouth open while she sits on the nest sometimes. Seems to be a random thing.

  • 12 years ago

    Surya55:

    Thank you!

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