Today is Valentine's Day, a time for us humans to express our love for one another. Although animals don't give boxes of chocolates with pretty ribbons, they do have some interesting rituals to impress potential mates.
The Bald Eagle is famous for being the national symbol of the United States. Avid bird watchers, however, know them for their amazing Cartwheel Display. In this aerial ritual, a pair flies to great heights and then locks talons as they do “cartwheels” plummeting down towards the ground. They only break apart at the very last moment.
Eastern Screech Owl males approach females while vocalizing, bobbing their heads, and winking their eyes slowly. If a female accepts his advances, she will put her bill next to his and they will preen each other.
The males of many bird species bring food to the females. A male Northern Cardinal will offer seeds to its mate, placing the seed in the female's bill. Male American Kestrels will bring food to a perch and announce the offering with a call and a fluttering flight. The female perches next to the male and they each bow their heads several times before the female takes the mouse or large insect from the talons of her mate.
A male Eastern Box Turtle chases his intended mate and nips at her shell or chin.
In possibly the most fascinating mating display, Snowshoe Hare males jump and urinate on the females from midair! The female sometimes does the same to the male.
To learn more about the interesting rituals of Ohio’s wildlife, come visit Perkins Wildlife Center and catch one of our live animal programs every Saturday and Sunday at 1 PM and 3 PM.
Kaitlyn Gabriel, CMNH Wildlife Specialist
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