The calendar and the weather both say it's winter, but the birds are saying spring is just around the corner. In the past few weeks I have seen three species display breeding behavior. A few weeks ago at Moss Landing State Beach, I saw several male Rock Doves strutting in front of females in order to obtain copulations (several were successful).

I also observed a pair of Northern Shovelers copulating last weekend at Palo Alto Baylands.The male appeared to almost drown his mate during copulation.

And then today I heard the distinctive song of a Dark-Eyed Junco. I located the male and his mate in a parking lot. The male sang from his perch on the side view mirror of a Lexus sedan, while the female foraged on the ground in some nearby landscaping. The male would occasionally interrupt his song to swoop down and attack the imaginary competitor located in the side view mirror. Of course -- I could not help but to laugh.

Photo © William C. Webb