I just saw something new--a Tufted Titmouse lay down in the leaf litter
beneath one of our azaleas, spread its wings and tail, and froze in place.
After a moment it stood up, scratched its head, turned 180 degrees, and lay
down again with spread wings. After another moment, it stood up, scratched
its head on the other side, turned 90 degrees, and did it again. Then it
got up, hopped onto a low branch and began preening its breast and wings.
While it was lying down the second time, another titmouse landed in the
azalea and spread its wings in the same kind of posture. When the first
bird left, the second bird hopped down into the leaf litter and lay in the
same spot. This second bird did the behavior only once before getting back
up on a branch and preening.
I'm attaching a photo I took--poor quality because we have screens up (and
windows open!), but it does show the bird lying with spread wings and tail.
The only other bird I have seen do this is a Bluejay. Is this a common
behavior for most birds?
Pat Valdata
Elkton, MD
--
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Group 'Maryland & DC Birding'.
To view group guidelines or change email preferences, visit this group on the web at http://www.mdbirding.com
Posts can be sent to the group by sending an email to <mdbirding...>
|