I studied pectoral behavior in the American arctic (near Barrow) for 6  years
(some time ago).  We regularly saw pectorals engaging in  interspecific
behaviors, including mating displays directed toward dunlin  chicks, a dead male
red phalarope, and adults of other species.   bottom line, a pect male will
display at just about anything remotely the right  size that shows up on its
territory.  doesn't even have to move.

Pete Myers
White Hall, VA


In a message dated 6/23/2006 12:27:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

To:  "WPB" <[log in to unmask]>
From: "Julian Bell"  <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 15:22:03  +0200
Subject: [WestPalBirds] Pectoral Sandpipier - odd  behaviour?

Today, 22 June, a male Pectoral Sandpiper, calidris  melanotos, turned up on
my local patch. This is unusual enough being only  around the fourth
"county" record. However, its behaviour was perhaps even  more interesting -
it was very vocal and then joined a couple of Common  Snipe in a display
flight and was very aggressive towards them - actively  pursuing first one
then the other.

Have others experienced such  behaviour in Europe?

Pictures, along with a short movie can be found  here:
http://www.naturalbornbirder.com/gallery/pec_sand.php

Best  regards

Julian Bell