Strutting in Sync

A plump grey pigeon was pacing the flat paving stones ahead like a guard on patrol! Step. Bob. Step. Bob! No time to deliberate—I threw my chest forward and matched its rhythm! Clack—bob! Clack—bob! Every time its feathered neck jerked forward, I thrust my wide bill out in absolute unison! We covered four whole flagstones in magnificent parade sync before the feathered sergeant froze dead in its tracks. It swiveled one beady yellow eye straight toward my open beak. Total silence! I held the pose, one orange foot hitched in the air, bill stretched wide—not a single twitch! A soft coo, a flick of its tail, and parade was dismissed!