Bird Courtship Feeding - Page 2

The male Snowy Owl of arctic tundra regions catches a lemming (a large, brown rodent) in its talons and carries the food in its bill to a mound within sight of the female. Then, standing on the mound and facing the female, with wings displayed behind like a cape, the male offers the dark gift of food, which is dramatically outlined against the background of its snow-white plumage.

In the case of the Northern Harrier, the food transfer takes place in midair. The male calls the female to fly out to meet it and then passes the prey -- a mouse, snake, or small bird -- from its talons to those of its mate. Sometimes the female flies below the male, turning over to grasp the prey dropped from above.