[EBB Sightings] mockingbird ritual

I've seen that too.  Probably not courtship in the context you  
describe.  The Birds of North America account says:

When walking or running on the ground, frequently raises wings (?wing  
flashes?) half to fully open in a stereotyped manner, in several  
progressively higher jerky movements, exposing conspicuous white wing  
patch (Gander 1931a, Sutton 1946, Selander and Hunter 1960, Hailman  
1960a, Sprunt 1964; Fig. 3). Function of this behavior unknown;  
speculations include startling insects or potential predators  
(especially nest predators) and as a component of territorial display  
(Selander and Hunter 1960, Mueller and Mueller 1971).

Cheers

Alan

On Jun 29, 2006, at 3:14 PM, Glovie Gordon wrote:

> Is anyone familiar with the following mockingbird
> behavior, which I witnessed at 8:30 am on the Concord
> campus of Cal State East Bay? A mockingbird repeatedly
> and stereotypically hopped three times, then lifted
> its chest and slowly stretched out its wings as if
> posing, hopped three times and extended wings, ... all
> the way down a very long dirt path between an asphalt
> road and a dry weedy field.  This went on for at least
> several minutes, as far as my eyes could see, in an
> unbroken and rhythmical pattern.  No other birds were
> in evidence.  I've been around mockingbirds all my
> life without ever seeing this behavior. What does it mean?
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___________________________
Alan H. Krakauer, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Patricelli Lab

Section of Evolution and Ecology
University of California
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2320 Storer Hall
Davis, CA 95616
Office: 530-754-7837
Fax: 530-752-1449
ahkrakauer at ucdavis.edu
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