We did see the gangetic Dolphin- our national Aquatic Animal, also called tiger of Chambal, Mugger Croc, Sno-u-ty Gharial, two freshwater Turtles, Indian Hare, Civet cat, Golden Jackal but highlight of the trip was mating of Indian Skimmer and mating of Little tern.
You might be knowing that birds have diferent mating behaviour- change in Plumage, preening, Singing, dancing. One of the most interesting mating behaviour is feeding. Male brings some special food for the female and if female agrees then she accepts the food and eats it. So here we were in the boat and looking at the Skimmer do skimming. Suddenly the guide pointed to the male Skimmer, which was not more than fifteen feet away, bringing a fish in his mouth and approach the female. He, the bird, offered it to the female, she accepted it, and the male sang loud, in triaumph. Then the mating was to happen and there, just two feets away, a male little tern also brought fish for the female. Now, there was over excitement in the boat. We were looking at one and then at another. The Skimmer did mate, it is called ‘coacal kiss’ for birds which lasts for a few seconds. By then the female little tern has also accepted the food and male was circling around it. Then another male intruded, a fight ensued and the female flew away.
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