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Self-help books, pickup artists and life coaches — there’s no true playbook for succeeding at the game of love. It’s not something that can be studied or mastered, just learned and improved upon.
Instead of making a fool of yourself this Valentine’s Day weekend, there’s plenty of experience you can tap into if you just look to the sky. Mother Nature’s feathered friends can provide plenty of insight into why things aren’t working out with you and Mr. or Ms. Right.
Here are a few things you can learn about love from the world’s birds:
Mute swans: Be faithful
There’s a reason why mute swans are bred and purchased globally for aesthetic purposes. Because of its famous mating practices, the large, sleek, elegant bird has become a widespread symbol for monogamous love.
During courtship, swans align breast-to-breast and strike the commonly depicted heart pose with their necks — fitting, as the bird they court is typically their only partner for years, mirroring human relationship practices. The birds will swim synchronously and rub against each other throughout the mating season, more often than is required to fertilize eggs.
The birds’ strong bond is important to their long-lasting relationships and will see them repeat mating season with each other, often until one partner dies. Swans have been recorded grieving their partners, only able to breed again once they’ve mourned.
Be like the swan: Work on your bond — and keep your eyes to yourself.
Least terns: Keep the belly full
Everyone likes to be thought of, especially when it’s a gift that makes one think, “They know me so well!” And everyone enjoys a good free meal. Least terns sure do.
The world’s smallest tern also might have the cutest mating ritual. Like humans, these birds also go out for dinner on the first date. One of the few methods males use to get a female’s attention includes offering the catch of the day.
After some introduction and flashing of feathers, the males will hunt for small fish to present to the females to eat. This will continue until either the female becomes disinterested or agrees to mate with the male. Yes, birds practice consent.
The couple stays together through incubation and remains by their chicks’ side until they leave the nest.
To woo your bird of choice, buy them a meal. And take no for an answer.
Greater sage-grouse: Show ’em what you’ve got
In a world of birds of paradise and lovebirds, sometimes you have to be a greater sage-grouse. This seldom-seen gamebird of the western United States has one of the most outrageous ways of catching attention.
Out on the prairie, large groups of males will gather in a lek (a patch of ground used for communal display in the breeding season) and become eye candy for the roaming flocks of browsing females. As soon as daylight hits, the drab-colored, chicken-like birds will inflate bright yellow air sacs that emerge from their fluffy, white breasts.
The males will constantly extend their necks and wave these sacs, making a “plopping noise” that can be heard by fellow grouse for miles.
While the move might be more akin to something you’d see at a nightclub than a coffee shop, the message is clear: Put yourself out there. No one will notice you if you don’t make an effort.
Albatross: Keep in touch
Like swans, albatrosses have mastered long-term relationships. Living for more than 50 years, the birds can be with the same partner for decades. However, these birds will spend most of their time together — apart.
Albatrosses are physically capable of laying one egg per year, but aside from mating and nesting, most of the year is spent out on the open ocean. But each season the birds will pair up with the same mate. They don’t video chat or write letters as we do, but there is a bond that keeps the two together year in and out.
Built to glide endlessly over the sea, albatrosses can travel millions of miles in their lifetime. The world’s oldest wild bird, a 75-year-old Laysan albatross, has laid more than 30 eggs over its lifetime and roughly a dozen with a single partner. She has traveled more than 3 million miles in her life and can still return to the same roost.
Understand the albatross: Use the distance between you and your partner wisely.
This week’s finds
– Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club’s Lindsey Duval spotted a drake redhead duck in Cohoes, visible from Overlook Park on New Street. In large groups of scaups and mergansers, keep an eye out for the titular vibrant head.
– Large flocks of evening grosbeaks have been spotted on Fox Hill Road in Edinburg for the past few weeks. The large yellow finches are uncommon outside irruption years.
Events this week
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and the Saratoga Springs Public Library will offer free owl prowl programs at 5 p.m. Feb. 19-20 at Town of Wilton Camp Saratoga, 90 Scout Road. This nighttime hike to look and listen for owls is suitable for ages 5 and older. To register, call the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 518-584-7860, ext. 305.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is leading a winter bird walk for teens and adults at 11 a.m. Monday at the Truax Trail Barrens. Learn about which birds live in the area during the winter and the resources they rely on. Register online.
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