A male will perch in a safe spot, back to a tree trunk, and call continuously through the night to advertise himself, 112 toots per minute, from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. (David Johnson has timed them.) By morning, he’s hoarse. When a female comes into his territory, he’ll ratchet up the speed of the call to 260 toots per minute. Then he’ll show her his nest sites and give her a mouse to prove he’s a good provider. If his nest sites are up to snuff and his food offerings satisfy, she’ll stay with him. If not, she’ll fly off, and he’ll follow her, emphatically
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