For birds, the end of spring migration brings entertaining behavior

Auburn Resident Captures Rare Blue Jay Feeding Ritual, Sparking Interest in Spring Courtship Behaviors

A backyard birdwatcher in Auburn has turned ordinary patio observations into a fascinating glimpse of spring mating rituals. Peter Brown, an avid nature observer, has documented blue jays in his yard engaging in a behavior known as allofeeding—where one bird shares food with another. The sightings have drawn attention to a broader pattern of courtship feeding that many local bird species are displaying as the breeding season gets underway.

Brown’s notebook is filled with notes on the blue jays’ interactions. He watches as one bird presents a morsel to its partner, a gesture that researchers have linked to pair bonding and pre‑copulatory displays. According to a master’s thesis by Rossane Gutkin on blue jay reproductive behavior, “the male often seems nonchalant during the female’s display, but occasionally the male may initiate the interaction by sidling toward the female and nudging her, then moving to the other side and nudging again.” Gutkin’s observations also describe a “kissing” motion where the birds touch beaks empty‑beaked, a behavior Brown has photographed alongside the food transfers.

The act of feeding a potential mate is not unique to blue jays. Northern cardinals are regularly seen offering tidbits to one another during courtship, and cedar waxwings have become a highlight for birders this season. The waxwings’ striking buffy‑yellow plumage, dark facial mask, and distinctive crest make them easy to spot, especially when they gather in flocks of more than 300. Recent sightings at Monhegan Island during the Acadia Birding Festival captured the birds in large, swirling groups as they begin pairing off.

One of the most entertaining displays occurs in fruit trees where waxwing pairs engage in “courtship‑hopping.” The male brings a piece of fruit or a flower petal, hops away from the female, and returns to hand it back. The ritual ends when the female finally consumes the offering.

While some species are still establishing bonds, others have already progressed to raising young. Eastern bluebirds, early nesters, are already tending second broods this year, feeding speckled chicks that continue to beg for food for roughly ten to sixteen days after fledging. These parent birds are often seen carrying insects, a clear sign that they are provisioning nests or chicks rather than foraging for themselves.

The nesting season offers a prime opportunity for anyone to slow down and watch individual birds at work. Identifying a species is useful, but watching how a bird forages—and whether it transports prey—provides insight into its reproductive stage. If a songbird is carrying food, it is likely headed to feed offspring; otherwise, the energy expenditure would be unnecessary.

Maine Audubon is encouraging the public to join free bird walks led by staff naturalist Doug Hitchcox. The sessions take place each Thursday morning at 8 a.m. at the Gilsland Farm Audubon Sanctuary in Falmouth. Participants can explore nesting birds, learn about native plants, and ask questions about local wildlife.

For those eager to learn more, Maine Audubon’s website—www.maineaudubon.org—offers resources on birding, habitat conservation, and upcoming events. Nature questions can be sent to the organization’s dedicated email address.

The sightings captured by Peter Brown remind residents that even familiar backyard birds can reveal complex social behaviors when observers take the time to watch. As spring migration winds down, the rhythm of courtship feeding and nesting activities is setting the stage for another generation of local birds.