(1) Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta (false mounting)

As a prelude to a forthcoming ritual “false mounting” or pseudocopulation, two birds behave in a clearly social interaction
Go to the next image [>] of this Hamerkop behaviour sequence.

@@@ Hamerkop false mounting, definition & description @@@
The ‘false mounting’ or pseudo-copulation I witnessed was first introduced by two Hamerkops behaving in a clearly social interaction. A third bird then joined them and the three birds made a kind of dance, holding their bills converged, after which a few other birds also present at the social gathering scene, suddenly started communal loud guttural cackles, as a prelude to the actual ‘false mounting’. Out of the three main actors of the ceremony, the dominant bird, as if intending to mate, started mounting by putting one leg on the back of a close-by co-actor and then stretched the other leg and hopped on the back of the bird to be mounted. When stepping down, the dominant bird first put one leg on the forehead of the submissive bird. While joining the other leg before putting it down, the weight of the dominant bird caused the bill of the other bird to touch the ground. The whole 'false mounting' ritual took less than two minutes, the dominant bird almost constantly flapping wings to keep its balance.

(To see the pictures in the right sequence, go to the set "Birds of The Gambia" from www.flickr.com/photos/snarfel/11632565256/in/set-72157623... onwards)
Marakissa, 6 December 2013
Canon 7D
Ombrette africaine - Avemartillo - Passaro martelo - Hammerkopf

Some rights reserved

Taken in: The Gambia / Western (show map)

Taken on: December 6, 2013

Tags:

hamerkop

scopus umbretta

anvilhead

ombrette

ombrette africaine

hammerkopf

avemartillo

passaro-martelo

skuggstork

uccello martello

hammerhoved

vasarapäähaikara

skyggefugl

waruga

false mounting

hamerkop false mounting

hamerkop false mounting definition

false mounting behaviour

hamerkop behaviour « less

Sets appears in: • Birds of The Gambia

Groups appears in: • Birds • Field Guide: Birds of the World more » • Bird Lovers • Water Birds • Birds/Aves • Birds , Birds Birds • Aves - Birds • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • Birds Special Interest Group • Unlimited Birds • BIRDPIX (3/day) • *I Love Birds* • Beautiful Bird Bokeh • "Bird Brained" • Birds of the world • Birds From Around The World • Birds of Africa • BirdMap • Spectacular Birds Of Africa • Bird and Nature Photography • Birds of The Gambia and Senegal [Please read rules] • The Friends Of Worldbirds • Secret Life of Birds • Beautiful Birds • Birds (no rules) • BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL. • * Wild Birds * • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Birds. • Birds of Southern Africa • Birding In The Wild • Birds - Sea, Shore, Water and Wader • Top 20 Birds • GlobalBirdTrekkers • Ornitologia • Encyclopedia of Life Images • The Birds Of Flickr • Birdshare • Animalpedia • Birds-world • National Geographic Wild Life • Animals/Birds of Planet Earth • Shorebirds of the World • Birds and Wildlife Only!!! • Birds and Beasts • BirdWatching Magazine • Birds and more birds • World of Birds • Birds of the world/ Oiseaux du monde • Colourful Birds • Birds,Mammals and Nature Group • The Genuine Semi Pro Bird Photography Group • 4 Birds only • BirdLife International • World Waders • :: | Bird Photography |:: • Wild Bird Photography • Bird Hunting by Camera • Spectacular Bird Photos • MAD about BIRDS! • Birds - Vögel - Oiseaux - Uccelli • FIELD GUIDE OF BIRDS • Bird Nerd Herd • " BIRDS OF PLANET EARTH (BIRDS ONLY, NO PEOPLE, NO B&W) • Birding World • AVES DEL MUNDO -- BIRDS OF THE WORLD -- OISEAUX DU MONDE • Birds are best! but Nature is fab too!!! • Avibase • Birdography • Bird Behaviour in Action • Bird Photos United • Birding for everyone! (Field Guide of the World) • * Wonderful World of Wildlife * • Nature Birds Photos • Best Birds Worldwide • It's a Birder's World « less

Camera: Canon EOS 7D, f/8.0, 1/500 sec, 400mm, ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 7D
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	400mm
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 Windows
Show full info

Stats: 3,189 views / 6 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: