One of the easiest birds to identify is the northern cardinal. We have at least one pair on the farm throughout the year. Cardinals, although common now, were not seen in New England until the 1940s. It is nice to see their bright plumage against a snowy backdrop. In the spring we enjoy seeing the male courting the female, offering her tasty morsels.
We have often wondered if the pair of cardinals we see are lifelong companions or just having a brief fling. About 90% of bird species are monogamous, which means a male and female form a pair bond. As it happens, “monogamous” covers a wide range of behaviors. A pair bond for maybe one nesting, one breeding season, several seasons, or life. Wrens usually pair up for one nesting, whereas some larger birds, like condors, pair for life.
Bluebirds are known to have nests with mixed parentage. (Courtesy photo)
Cardinals do pair up for more than one nesting season and are what is called socially monogamous, referring to the male bird’s role in parenting. In most songbird species, the male defends a nest and territory, feeds his incubating mate, brings food to nestlings, and feeds young fledglings.
Socially monogamous birds are not necessarily faithful partners, but they care for each other and for the young of their nest. Rearing young together does not imply sexual fidelity. Studies of Eastern bluebirds have found that nests with mixed parentage are not uncommon. Mixed parentage means the nests have eggs by more than one father, or more than one mother, or both.
It amazes us that “our” barn swallows or their offspring return to their previous nesting sites after traveling thousands of miles from Central America. Studies have shown this swallow species pairs for more than one breeding season.
Mute swans are another species that mates for life. Mute swans can usually be seen locally on ponds in the Delaney Wildlife Management Area. These large birds are non-native, having been introduced from Europe in the early 1900s as a decorative element in zoos, parks, and estates. They are now considered pests and are very aggressive toward our native ducks and geese. The mute swans often drive our native geese and ducks from their nesting area.
Not many species pair for life. Among those that do and can be seen in our area are black vultures. On a trip to Panama a few years ago, over the course of three days we were fortunate to see thousands of black vultures streaming overhead on their return north. Atlantic puffins pair for life and can be seen off the coasts of Maine and Canada. We have taken the Hardy Boat out of New Harbor, Maine, to view the puffins on Egg Rock. Farther afield we have been fortunate to see masses of whooping cranes who also mate for life landing in Whitewater Draw in Arizona. In general, parrot species mate for life. Scarlet macaws usually fly in pairs and also bond for life. Next month we hope to see these beautiful birds when we once again visit Belize.
David and Pam Durrant live and work at Micheldever Farm on East Bare Hill Road.
