Species: Tree swallows | Location: Capability Farm, Indiana, USA
Photographing these tree swallows' mating behavior reminded me of a trip to Kenya and photographing lions mating. As can be seen in his photo, the hen is perched securely on a limb and looking over her left wing anticipating the arrival of the cock. He flies in landing on her back, and appears to hold to her upper back or lower neck feathers while copulating. After 10 - 15 seconds, the hen turns her head with sufficient force to knock her lover off. He flies around and goes in for another landing. This happened 8 or 9 times. Interestingly, lions engage in a similar routine. The behavior of lions and cats in general is necessary since ovulation is induced via penetration. I'm not bird savvy enough to know if they too are induced ovulators.
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