Courtship

I’m not sure if all birds have a unique voice they save for the business of courtship, but many do. These calls range from the rather bizarre honking of courting white-bellied sea eagles (which, while not a songbird, is certainly a memorable courtship call and one I am yet to record) to the mechanical whir and clicking of male satin bowerbirds and the spectacular vocal performances of superb lyrebird.

Not all courtship calls are easily recognised as such, you have to pay close attention to the situational context, seasonality, social circumstances and general behaviour.

For instance, it took me decades to finally witness the behaviour that accompanied a particular call I was hearing every so often from sulphur crested cockatoos. It was actually coming from a posse of randy male birds attempting to seduce a female (who appeared utterly disinterested I might add). In a flash I realised this was their courtship voice and now recognise it instantly when I hear it. When i get a minute to edit the recording I’ll add it below (to save you decades of dirt time!).

Many small songbirds like eastern spinebills have a male courtship call that is usually voiced (rather vociferously) while the arduous suitor is in flight with his sweet little crest feathers spiked up. The flight posture also changes when he’s in courtship mode. The head is held on-high and he appears to be arching his back so much that he almost stalls mid-flight.

Other birds such as songlarks and white-cheeked honeyeaters make their courtship call while engaging in special nuptial flights where male birds sing loudly as they flutter sharply-upwards for perhaps 10 to 15 seconds (very risky behaviour if aerial predators are about) before suddenly plunging back to the safety of the shrubbery as if shot.

Once you identify a call as belonging to the courtship voice, you’ll forever be able to get front-row seats to adorable avian romcoms.