Birds-of India-Macaw- bird- in- courtship- display

Courtship of Macaw bird

Introduction of Courtship Rituals

In the animal kingdom, different species display variety of courtship rituals. Generally the male try to attract female by different ways like sound, power, construction ability, fighting power or good look. This process of showing good look to female is specially seen in birds which have an extraordinary range of ways to impress the female. we see some spectacular dancing style of male birds to attract the opposite sex.

Cause behind the bird's courtship rituals

Though the ultimate purpose of courtship rituals is to attract a partner, but there are many other purpose behind the courtship behavior of different species. Mating dance and charming songs used to woo partners can help birds to choose a genetically compatible mates. Different courtship style help to reduce territorial aggression, which let two birds to relax together to form a pair. Depending on the behavior, how birds react in courtship can also display strength, health and willingness of mating.

Types of courtship behavior

There are several different courtship rituals bird use to find a mate. The exact type of courtship vary greatly between species to species and even birds of same species may have slightly different courtship variation in different regions. Bellow is some types of courtship behavior that is seen among bird.

Singing

Singing is one of the common ways that bird use to attract the female. The songs, intricacy or variety of different songs one bird can produce help advertise its maturity and intelligence. Singing also defines the territory of the bird, which warns the weaker competitor. For some species, only male will sing, while other species may create a duet as part of their mating ritual.

Singing: A common courtship ritual

Display

This is another way of courtship behavior. Plumage colours and display of prominent feathers, skin sacs or body shape can show off how strong and healthy a bird and this display advertise the suitability as a mate. Indian peacock are one of the best known species for their stunning display with the male's extensive, colourful fan.

Courtship of Peacock : display of fan

Other birds may use subtle changes of their posture to show off their plumage, such as raising a crest, hunching their shoulder or flaring their wings. One beautiful example of display is what the frigate bird do.

Courtship of Frigate bird

During mating time, male Frigates spread their wings and at the same time inflate their large scarlet gular sacs and tipped upwards such that the bills are pointing towards sky. When females fly over heads, males quive their wings and heads and at the same time vibrating their bills against the inflated sacs create a short of drumming noise. Once a female choose a male, she flies down to join him and indulge in certain rituals that may involve the male taking her bill in his.

courtship style of Frigate bird

Dancing

This include physical movements from drive to intricate sequences including flapping of wings, head dips, rubbing bill together or different steps of a courtship rituals. in many species, only male dance for the female while female only observe the action while in other species both partners interact together. Mistake in dance show inexperience, weakness or hesitancy and would not likely to form a successful pairing.

Courtship of Eagles

The courtship involves a male and female eagle flying into the air where they grasp talons then glide in dramatic fashion back down, then break apart when they are nearing the ground.

Bald Eagles locking talons

Courtship of Bird of Paradise

Perhaps the best example of dancing as a courtship ritual that is done by Bird of paradise. This Bird of paradise perform an amazing dance during courtship. The feathers of the male one of the darkest hues of black in the world, absorbing almost hundred percent of directly incident light. When they dance the black colour create an optical illusion with the bird's other green-blue feathers which make them appear brighter next to the black feathers.

When the male bird erects his plumage during courtship dance what is essentially a parasol of black and shimmering colours, it seems that someone turned a black light on.

Preening

Close contact between make and female bird is another type of courtship that help to defuse their normal spatial boundaries and aggression. The birds may lightly preen with one another sit touching with their bodies or lean on one another to prove that they are not intending to harm their partner

Kissing: A common Courtship ritual of pigeons

Courtship ritual: Preening

Feeding

In many birds we can see offering of food as a part of courtship. A male bird may bring a piece of food to the female to prove that he is not only able to find food but also he can share it with his partner. In some species we see that male bring food and place it near by the female to eat. Again in some species male place food directly in her mouth.

Feeding one another: A type of courtship ritual

Building nest

Some birds attract female by showing off their architectural skills. By constructing a nest before the female arrive, male bird proves his acquisition of that area and also show that suitable nesting area they can defend. Some birds also decorate the nest with pebbles, moss, flowers and different things to make it more attractive. The female may choose the nest she prefers.

Nest of Baya

As we see in case of Baya. Male Baya make a nest half-build. Then he start singing to attract the female. Female Baya inspects different nest before she make a final decision. And for doing so, female give more importance upon the safety of the nest rather than construction. When a female choose a nest, male then start to finish the rest of the nest.

Baya making nest

Nest of Bower bird

Another attractive and decorated nest is build by Bower bird. The male Bower bird build and decorate a tent-like structure on the ground to attract female to mate though his twig gathering and building activities are not aimed at creating the nest that hold eggs and later nestlings, his efforts get Bower bird mating off to start. Bower bird creations include colourful materials and elaborate design elements. One species favour blue, others use multiple colours to attract female Bower. After mating female Bower make another nest beside the structure that the male has made; and there she lays eggs.

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