Primping for the Big Moment

Heading Out

Hey, Baby!

Wanna Get Busy with Me?

Getting Busy

After Snack

The Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata), as the name implies is a common, though often secretive, bird in the rail family. A couple weeks ago, I was privileged to watch the entire mating ritual. After a bath, the male approached the female. She must’ve found him agreeable as she presented her backside to him. Foreplay consisted of a couple gentle strokes with his toes (possibly to help expose her cloaca). Then he mounted her, holding her neck firmly before dismounting less than 30 seconds later. Mission accomplished, she swam away while he started feeding.