The Dance of the Rufous Bushchat

On the 5th June 2009, on the Santa Pola coast road, I spent half an hour in the company of an amorous Rufous Bushchat (Cercotrichas galactotes) who was trying to impress his lady. This gallery is the record of what happened....

All photos taken with a Panasonic FZ-18
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First of all, here's the object of his desire. "Show us your moves then?"
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First of all, here's the object of his desire. "Show us your moves then?"

  • First of all, here's the object of his desire. "Show us your moves then?"
  • The male has selected his display arena - checking to the left first....
  • ... and then to the right. He seems happy with his location.
  • She's getting a bit bored with all this faffing around.
  • So he gives her his full monty tail display. What about that then?
  • He keeps up a strange buzzing call throughout the display
  • He hops about a bit, still showing off his tail
  • Something's wrong! She's not responding! Perhaps I need to be higher up?
  • Perhaps she'll see me more clearly if I'm on this stone?
  • Oh yes, that's much better. Check out the tail again, lady....
  • "When I'm calling yoo -hoo-hoo hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo"
  • Cor blimey this display lark doesn't half tire you out....
  • But the show must go on!
  • Front view - check out these pectorals, missus.
  • And the wings are pretty good too. I could fly to Africa on these
  • Oh come on, show a bit of interest why don't you?
  • She is still not fully impressed, but she's still watching....
  • I could be here all day at this rate.
  • Here's the top of me tail....
  • ...and here's the bottom.
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