Early this morning I made a short journey across the city in hopes of seeing the rare and elusive Green Heron. Driving on the freeway, visibility was veiled with a slight gray haze and the sun was a bright red ball in the sky, all signs of distant forest fires. Arriving at the park, I positioned myself in a strategic vantage point hoping my birding luck was with me today. Sadly, multiple birders who arrived before me and scoured both storm ponds reported negative sightings. I packed up my camera and decided to visit one of my favorite birding spots, a small quiet slough away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
My decision to visit the secret slough was rewarded with a glimpse into the mysterious world of bird ballet where birds strike seemingly deliberate artistic poses to an enthusiastic birder audience!
The double crested cormorants are not alone in striking their fancy poses! Looking more closely at the picture, something seems to have captured their attention….makes you wonder what could that be?
Oh! Ducks doing fancy synchronized ballet moves underwater! Although the birds in the photos look like they are conducting a dance recital, there are functional reasons for these poses and moves. The ducks in the photo are likely dabbling ducks who, put simply, submerge their heads underwater to feed by sticking their butts up in the air.
Double Crested Cormorants dive under water to search and catch food causing their feathers to become saturated with water. Similar to humans wearing wet clothes, having wet feathers is not helpful for birds because it can cause our feathered friends to lose body heat and impede their ability to fly. In the photo above, the cormorants are standing with their wings open to dry their feathers in the warm air.
The mysterious world of bird ballet, artistic and pragmatic moves that are crucial for the survival of our feathered friends.
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