Volatinia jacarina splendens, Blue-black Grassquit

Siin ma juba kirjeldasin selle väikese linnukese laulukombeid, kuid isaslindudel on veel üks huvitav tava. Nimelt kogunevad nad pesitsushooaja ajal tantsuplatsidele (nagu nt tedred), kus siis iga lind esitab oma kava ja kaitseb oma väikest territooriumit. Laulu- ja hüplemisnumbrid on muide kõigil erinevad. Eristab neid aga tedresugustest asjaolu, et tegemist on monogaamse linnuga - kui vastaspool leitakse, siis tantsimine ka lõpeb ja paar lahkub peoalalt. Foto tehtud Tirimbina Bioloogilisel kaitsealal, Costa Ricas.

Here I already described the singing behavior of the male Blue-black Grassquits but they have yet another interesting "tradition". During breeding season several males gather at the same place, similar to a traditional lek, and perform conspicuous displays. Each male has different displaying rate and defends its small territory. However grassquit is not a typical "lek-bird" as it is monogamous - as soon as the partner is found, the dancing stops and the pair leaves the playground. Tirimbina Biological Reserve, Sarapiqui valley, Costa Rica.