Martin playing with falling leaf
I just saw something I've never seen before and wanted to ask if anyone on the forum has seen similar behavior. An ASY male was dropping a leaf and would let it fall 20 or 30 feet, then dive and catch it, gain altitude and drop it again. I watched this happen at least 5 times. As long as I have been around martins I have never seen this playing before and thought it was interesting.
I figured that it wasn't extremely rare, but I find it odd that in over 40 years of PM watching this was the first time I had witnessed this. I would guess that it is play, martins seem to me to be playful and enjoy life. In fact, martins are the only birds that in my opinion fly just for the thrill of it!
-
1 Ron Vasser
- Posts: 584
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:26 pm
- Location: Georgia/Rome
Ben, sometimes they're not playing but trying to steal a leaf. This 1st photo two are fighting for the leaf and the ASY male is slipping in for the steal.
Ron
-
~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
I have seen martins drop dragonflies then dive down and catch them again.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
-
The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Ben,
We are currently providing supplemental food (crickets) to our martins due to severe drought conditions. A few days ago when watching them I saw that they now started to take the crickets to the gourds to feed their babies. They take the cricket out of the dish and when they are in midair they drop the cricket and then in a very acrobatic way catch it again.....sometimes they do this 2-3 times before they bring the food to the gourd.
I was wondering why they do this....if it is a sort of "playing" or is it because they cannot hold a bug for a longer time of period in their beak? Maybe someone has the answer. It is fun though to watch how accurate and agile they are when catching the dropped cricket again and again
Astrid
We are currently providing supplemental food (crickets) to our martins due to severe drought conditions. A few days ago when watching them I saw that they now started to take the crickets to the gourds to feed their babies. They take the cricket out of the dish and when they are in midair they drop the cricket and then in a very acrobatic way catch it again.....sometimes they do this 2-3 times before they bring the food to the gourd.
I was wondering why they do this....if it is a sort of "playing" or is it because they cannot hold a bug for a longer time of period in their beak? Maybe someone has the answer. It is fun though to watch how accurate and agile they are when catching the dropped cricket again and again
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
I see this all the time. Even stealing from others compartments. 
Astrid, sorry to hear the lower coast is having all this drought. It's been a swimming pool here. We have had just a ton of rain this spring. I'm still working on Ike damage, now this recent flooding. Just crazy.
Astrid, sorry to hear the lower coast is having all this drought. It's been a swimming pool here. We have had just a ton of rain this spring. I'm still working on Ike damage, now this recent flooding. Just crazy.
I'm a "nestcamaholic" Is 18 hours a day a bad thing? (I have 2 this year, luckily I have 2 eyes!)
-
The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Sparky,
I have seen that the are around Houston has received lots of rain, which is the last thing you need still trying get up and running after Ike. I am sorry to hear that you still have to deal with the after math; it must be very frustrating.....
Mother Nature seems to only have two hands out lately, too much rain or no rain. I wonder where this is all going to go over the next few years....scary.
I hope all is well at your colony and you do get to take a break from catching up and just enjoy your martins.
Astrid
I have seen that the are around Houston has received lots of rain, which is the last thing you need still trying get up and running after Ike. I am sorry to hear that you still have to deal with the after math; it must be very frustrating.....
Mother Nature seems to only have two hands out lately, too much rain or no rain. I wonder where this is all going to go over the next few years....scary.I hope all is well at your colony and you do get to take a break from catching up and just enjoy your martins.
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)