Lots of birds puff their head feathers and stand erect to show their dominance. Common ravens do it, too.
When Zachary Cava filmed three ravens interacting in the Mojave Desert he thought they might be courting. Was this courtship or was something very different going on?
Cornell’s Birds of North America explains that among common ravens,
The highest level of dominance is displayed by slowly walking highly erect with bill pointed upward, fluffing out throat hackles and [fluffing] feather tracts above legs to create “pant”-like appearance, elevating “ear” tufts, and flashing white nictitating membranes. Wings are spread slightly at the shoulders. Both males and females engage in this behavior, but it is more pronounced in males. (credit: Bernd Heinrich)
Yes, these two ravens are working out who’s in charge. So why is the third one bowing low with his head puffed up?
His actions resemble the male’s pair bond display to the female(*) but he’s got his back to the other two and they aren’t paying much attention.
Ravens don’t dance … or do they?
(video from YouTube by Zachary Cava)
(*) “In direct display to female, also fluffs out head, bows to female while spreading wings and tail, flashes white nictitating membranes, makes gurgling or choking sounds, and snaps bill.” — credit Cornell Birds of North America
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Was the one bowing a female and the other two males trying to attract her?