Stars strange behaviour.

[matcho]

Have 2 pairs of stars with 2 spare hens. Today noticed one of the hens with the grass in the beak doing the bobbing dance. Never seen this before, thought it was only the males that displayed. When a male approached her she quickly stopped and gave him the cold shouder/sharp beak treatment. Anyone seen similar or know if it is the norm?

[djb78]

Never noticed a hen displaying like a cocks mating dance. Have seen hens pick up grass and taking it to the nest, sometimes dropping on perches swaying side to side- is that what she was doing? Is it young, mask might not have fully coloured.

[matcho]

Definitely doing the bobbing thing. I know it is a female because it is the mother of last years young. There was a similar post yesterday and a lot of the advice was given that hens don't do it so it must be a male- so there goes that theory. Maybe she just wants to show who wears the pants in the family.

[djb78]

Don't know if this is true to stars, but have seen female painteds pick up nesting material to coax the cock to breed- maybe that the cock that approached wasn't to her liking. I've been breeding stars for 2 seasons everything is text book for me except one pair didn't raise their young. Maybe the female might be trying to show dominance?

[mickw]

My Star cock is very dull......in fact you'd swear he is a hen........he & the missus have knocked out about 10 young since September. His young vary widely. I've kept one very brilliantly coloured cock bird and brought in a new hen to go with the young Prince.......been meaning to get some pics.....

So, just dont rule out that you may have either a modestly coloured or a half coloured cock bird there.

[matcho]

Mick,
As I said, it is definitley a hen as she is the mother of last years young and is identified by her leg ring.

[mickw]

Apologies.......caught not reading the full thread

[Tiaris]

I have previously noticed hen Stars & quite a few other finches (inc. Melbas, Cordons, Bluecaps & others) where the hen carries out the male's role in the courtship ritual. I've usually regarded it as a strong sign that the hen is keen to down to business and a little frustrated at the lack of action on the part of her prospective mate. This may be especially the case since you have active pairs sharing the aviary with 2 spare breeding age hens. In most cases where I have seen this in my own birds and have had a suitable partner available such hens have turned out to be very good breeders or at least very willing ones. I'm sure there are plenty of single male Star Finches out there who would be happy to accommodate her.