Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE ALBATROSSES AND PETRELS

Laysan Albatross

Mr. Walter K. Fisher has recently given a very complete account of the Laysan Albatross (D. immutabilis), from which we select the description of a curious dance or”cake-walk”that is constantly being executed by the old birds.”At first two birds approach one another, bowing profoundly and stepping heavily.

They swagger about each other, nodding and courtesying solemnly, then suddenly begin to fence a little, crossing bills and whetting them together, sometimes with a whistling sound, meantime pecking and dropping stiff little bows.

All at once one lifts its closed wing and nibbles at the feathers beneath, or rarely, if in a hurry, quickly turns its head. The partner during this short performance assumes a statuesque pose, and either moves mechanically from side to side, or snaps its bill loudly a few times.

Then the first bird bows once, and pointing its head and beak straight upward, rises on its toes, puffs out its breast, and utters a prolonged, nasal Ah-h-h-h, with a rapidly rising inflection. While this 'song' is being uttered, the companion loudly and rapidly snaps its bill.

Often both birds raise their heads in air and either one or both favor the appreciative audience with the ridiculous and indescribable bovine groan. When they have finished they begin bowing to each other again, rapidly and alternately, and presently repeat the performance, the birds reversing their r6le in the game or not."

 

 

 

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