A male wants to be master of his own territory. To defend his space he intimidates intruders with his flashy gorget and high-speed acrobatics. With repeated efforts he zips high in the air, then turns and plummets straight down hurling himself at speeds of 65 feet per second. His dynamic flight show is accompanied by rapid chirps and whistles produced by the airflow through his tail feathers. With this stunning act, he's also assured of catching the attention of females wandering into his territory.
Laura Erickson
