Amazing Nature

Courtship of Birds

Originally published in Green Country, Issue 124 (Feb 2017)
Author: Green Power
Male Royal Terns Thalasseus maximus displaying courtship dance to female Royal Terns
Terns displaying with a graceful courtship dance. The photo shows Royal Terns (Thalasseus maximus), the range of which covers America and Africa.
"Tern Courtship" by Ingrid Taylar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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As with most animals, birds' lives include the vital task of producing offspring. Before that, each has to find a suitable partner. In the world of birds, the competition between males in chasing females is vigorous. The females are very choosy in selecting healthy "other halves", to ensure that their offspring will in turn have the best chance to prosper. For successfully courtship, the males must employ a range of strategies to attract the opposite sex.

Male Fork-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga christinae
In most cases, male birds are brightly coloured while the females are drab. A typical example shown here is Fork-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga christinae): male (above), and female (below).
Female Fork-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga christinae

Looking handsome

Female birds may prefer a brightly-coloured partner with shimmering feathers, as the plumage is an indication of the male's health. In the long history of evolution, colourful males are therefore selected while the females are often drab.

Male Victoria's Riflebird Ptiloris victoriae displaying its wing feathers under the sunlight on the top of tree branch
Male Victoria's Riflebird displaying its wing feathers under the sunlight. The feathers under the bill and on the throat are eye-catching.
"Victoria's Riflebird displaying - Lake Eacham - Queensland_S4E8834" by Francesco Veronesi is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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To enhance the "handsome" strategy, some birds display their vivid feathers in dances. Superb Bird-of-paradise (Lophorina superba) of New Guinea rainforest and Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae) of Australia are among the experts in this.

Peafowl is another bird we are all familiar with, and cannot be missed out. The peacock (males) spread their tail feathers in courtship. A long tail, bright and symmetrical feathers with numerous eyespots all indicate health and fitness, and are more attractive to the females.

Enchanting songs

Female birds are also attracted to loud and lasting songs. It may be even better if the melody is complicated, signifying a strong, enduring and experienced singer. Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) is a common bird in Hong Kong. You can often hear its "Ko-el" song at dawn in spring; it's simple but repeated often for long periods, surely demonstrating stamina.

Male Victoria's Riflebird displaying its wing feathers under the sunlight. The feathers under the bill and on the throat are eye-catching. Image"Victoria's Riflebird displaying - Lake Eacham - Queensland_S4E8834" by Francesco Veronesi is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The male pigeon puffs up the neck feathers and coos after its potential mate.
"Courtship" by Ingrid Taylar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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Some birds do more than just sing. The courting ritual of Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia) includes straightening the neck, puffing up the neck feathers, and chasing the female while making cooing noises. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), on the other hand, chatters and hops around its partner in a cute manner like a wind-up toy.

Western Grebes Aechmophorus occidentalis courtship dance
Grebe courtship dance. The photo shows Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis).
"Grebe Rush" by USFWS Mountain-Prairie is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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Tango dancing

Some birds impress the other halves by dancing, and some couples may even dance together. For example, Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) can dance a "tango", while Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) performs a "ballet". The grebes' dance is most amazing: the pair swing their heads in rhythm, then paddle rapidly to "run" on water! Their movements are rapid, and if one cannot follow the footsteps of the other, then the matching fails!

A male Satin Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
"Satin Bowrebird at bower - Lamington NP - Queensland_S4E6766" by Francesco Veronesi is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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The ornate bower built by Satin Bowerbird to attract a partner
Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) (male) from Australia (above) and the ornate bower it builds to attract a partner (below).
"Satin Bowerbird Bower" by gailhampshire is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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Engagement gifts

Some males will prepare courtship gifts, or special courtship grounds. A male bowerbird builds a complex structure called a bower on the ground, using twigs and branches decorated with collected fruits, leaves, flowers, feathers, shells and even human items such as coins, plastic pieces and buttons. After visiting several bowers, a female will choose the most impressive architect as its mate.

A male Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus holding and displaying algae to female Great Crested Grebes
Algae as engagement gift. The photo shows Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus)。
"Courtship display" by Akulatraxas is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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A male may also choose a simpler option, like grebes – which apart from dancing will donate algae as building material. The larger the algae the more charming to the female.