Whipbirds feeling the Love

It was a Springtime afternoon as far as a pair of Eastern Whipbirds were concerned.

They chased each other round and round under a couple of low shrubs outside my front verandah.

They even ran along a Park Bench made out of an old Railway Sleeper.

Then remarkably this guy actually appeared in the open, long enough for me to take a couple of snaps.

They're not great shots, but given how rare this encounter was, I will accept the opportunity gratefully.

Whipbird was calling actively, and chasing another Whipbird

Whipbirds are notoriously secretive, and have an ability to judge how to sit on the far side of any bush.

Front-on view of the white cheek patches of the Whipbird

I hear these birds every day, and recently they have been calling loudly and frequently, but this afternoon's performance was notable.

I only heard the male calling. There was no female answering call. (Listen to both calls: click on the sound file sign at top of the COG Gallery page here) 

So, was this a mating ritual or a display of territorail behaviour to chase off another male bird? I really do not know. There were two birds present, but only one calling, and only one was prepared to allow itself to be photographed.