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Signs of Spring: March 30, 1998 Please report the unique sights and sounds of spring from your area. Last Thursday, way up north in Buckfield, Maine, Danielle Buswell spotted a sure sign of spring: "I saw the first grackle in a tree, singing in my front yard," she said. Male grackles are back in many northern areas, and as soon as the females arrive, the males will start strutting around to attract them. Grackles can perform this display even in backyards, and it's easy to observe. Watch for these big blackbirds in your area, and record the first date that they appear. Then watch for the first date that the males start courting behavior. They start the very day the females arrive. You will recognize courting behavior because the males puff out their plumage and bow and make all kinds of creaking noises. Consider this: Challenge Question #4 "Why do you think grackles have yellow eyes?" (To respond to this question, please follow the instructions at the end of this report.) People in the southwest also get Great-tailed Grackles, which are making all kinds of wonderful sounds as well as actions right now. If you don't live in the southwest but would still like to hear these enormous grackles check out Listen to the Great-tailed Grackles You'll have to go down several screens to find the Great-tailed Grackle, but it will be worth it! Discussion of Challenge Question #1 In our last report, Challenge Question #1 asked, "Why do you think these mating calls of prairie chickens and grouse are deep and low, rather than high-pitched?" As we mentioned, Prairie chickens and grouse are large, very tasty birds. Therefore, at the same time that they must be conspicuous to attract mates, they need to be inconspicuous to protect themselves against predators. The low-pitches of their calls carry a long distance, so are very effective at drawing in females from far away. Prairie chickens and grouse do their displaying in very low-light conditions, while hawks are not about, so they don't have to worry about them. But owls are actively hunting while these birds display. Owls hunt by hearing, and are especially well-adapted for hunting mice. Their ears are exquisitely designed for hearing the tiniest squeaks. But mouse squeaks are very high-pitched, and owls' specially designed ears are not so good at detecting the low pitches of prairie chickens and grouse. Don't forget to report your own signs of spring! How to Respond to Today's Challenge Question 1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-spring@learner.org 2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 4 3. In the body of EACH message, answer the question above. The Next Signs of Spring Update Will be Posted on April 13, 1998 Copyright 1998 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.