It is a beautiful story…
The Romantic House Sparrow is not a new species, but I think it is a new generation!!!
This male was waiting for the female, perched on an old swallow’s nest, under the bridge over the Tajo, in Extremadura (Spain).
On the first picture, it is watching for her with attention. On the second picture, it is quiet, with a white feather in the bill, always waiting for her…
Then, the female has arrived with a flower of Spanish Lavender in the bill… So romantic!
They mate always perched on the swallow nest, the male with the white feather and the female with her flower…
Both mates take some rest after several copulations.
The male left its white feather, but the female will keep the flower in the bill until the end of the action!
And the end of the story…
They mate again and again (6 or 7 times at least in about 3 minutes).
I never saw this behaviour before. Here, in my region (SW France), House Sparrows mate several times in a few moments, but never with ornaments!
Has someone observed this kind of behaviour in House Sparrows??? Thank you for any information about that!
It was in Monfragüe Park, Extremadura – Spain, in May 2008.