Courtship or Mating ? ( Forster's Terns)

[BlackRockArt]

Hi y'all.

It was getting really dark, all the photographers have packed up & gone home, I was only one left there. As I walked slowly to the car park, a series of loud "kyarr, kyarr, kyarr" sound came I turned around to see a pair of Foster's terns.

One tern was standing on the ground, the other tern got close and moved away in mid air, he dropped briefly & took off again. I pointed my camera at the terns instinctly to get some shots. In all I think I got some 40 shots, the whole encounter was over in 3 seconds.

When I got home to look at the photos, I cound't be certain of their behaviour: was this courtship ? Or failed mating attempt ?

I hope some more kowledgeable birders can help me out, thanks in advance.

Oliver

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting sequence of images but I am afraid I don't have a clue what the answer to your question is.......

 

[JimFox]

How interesting Oliver! Great thinking to get this sequence as it's really cool to see. Maybe @Eric Gofreed knows what they are doing?

 

[Ben Egbert]

Great sequence. You captured a ot of action here

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Great series, Oliver. Highest compliments.
Pair bonding behavior (courtship if you prefer)

 

[BlackRockArt]

Interesting sequence of images but I am afraid I don't have a clue what the answer to your question is.......

Thanks Alan, these birds always fascinate me.

How interesting Oliver! Great thinking to get this sequence as it's really cool to see. Maybe @Eric Gofreed knows what they are doing?

Thank you Jim,.

 

[BlackRockArt]

Great sequence. You captured a ot of action here

Thank you Ben, the pair of terns danced twice, I was too excited to get decent shots but still nice to my eyes.

Great series, Oliver. Highest compliments.
Pair bonding behavior (courtship if you prefer)

Thanks Eric.

I gotta take more look into it, the terns are very regular in my area, in the spring & early summer, it's great fun to photograph these birds.

Oliver

 

[Eric Gofreed]

Thank you Ben, the pair of terns danced twice, I was too excited to get decent shots but still nice to my eyes.


Thanks Eric.

I gotta take more look into it, the terns are very regular in my area, in the spring & early summer, it's great fun to photograph these birds.

Oliver

There is also a courtship dance with terns that is obvious pair-bonding. I was told that dancing and proving you're a good provider are both necessary