Birds of different species perform courtship displays to signal their interest in mating. Males usually start it by showing females their best asset, such as songs, appearance, and many others. In that way, females can choose the best male to raise their chicks for better genes and maximize the chances of producing healthy nestlings.
For humans, understanding the courtship of birds can help them understand the challenges birds face when finding their best mates. When they recognize these behaviors, humans could avoid courting birds to avoid disturbing them. Also, humans can learn a thing or two they can use this coming Valentine's Day.
A pair of Caribbean flamingos extend their necks during courtship at the Saitama Children's Zoo in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama prefecture, north of Tokyo on March 14, 2012.
Tips and Tricks to Learn From Bird Courtship
According to BirdLife International, birds courtship displays includes various dances, food offerings, and showing-off of territories. Here are some tips and tricks on how birds court their mate:
- Offer food- Birds offer food, such as fish and fruits. It is a common courtship ritual across different bird species and shows their remarkable hunting skills and ability to provide food for their young. For example, male Terns offer their desired female a fish until she reciprocates the male's behavior and bond.
- Work on long-distance relationships- Albatrosses are known to mate for life even though they could be apart for months at sea. But when they met each other, they would display elaborate bowing, bill clapping and strutting as a way to reaffirm their bond. Similarly, Northern Gannets relight their spark by standing breast to breast with wings spread and vertically extending their bills to fence and scissor with each other.
- Go the extra mile- Non-monogamous birds display the most outstanding courtships as males always go the extra mile to attract females. It starts with marking a territory known as "lek," or a piece of land where males perform their courtship displays. The bird Ruff widens their tufts of feathers, stretch, leap, bows, and sprints around to help females decide which male is the strongest and has claimed the best territory.
- Same-sex couples are not a problem- Some birds pair up with whomever they want regardless of their gender. Although it is rare, some same-sex pairings choose to raise chicks. In a Laysan Albatrosses colony in Hawaii, scientists found that about 30% of the couples were found to be female-female couples.
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Types of Birds Courtship
Birds use different several different courtship rituals to find their mate. According to The Spruce, most species will use one method, and others also use several methods. Here are some bird courtship variations that are seen in the wild:
- Dancing- This includes diving, intricate wing flaps, head dips, bill rubbing, and other physical movements. Male birds dance for females while she observes his actions. Any mistakes will be seen as inexperience, weakness, and hesitancy, leading to unsuccessful mating.
- Display- Birds also display their flamboyant plumage colors, skin sacs, body shape to show their potential mates that they are strong and healthy to advertise themselves as suitable mates. Some would also use subtle changes in posture to better display their plumage.
- Singing- The intricacy of a song is one way to attract mates because it advertises its maturity and intelligence and its highly desirable characteristics for a healthy mate. More so, singing indicates territorial boundaries to warn of competition. Males usually sing first while females sing in a duet as part of their bonding ritual.
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