Page 16 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

INTRODUCTION

COURTSHIP AND MATING

irds spend most of their time keeping pairs need a stronger, longer-lasting
Btheir distance from each other.To pair bond, so that they can rely on
breed, they must break down barriers so one another to risk their lives for
that they can come into contact, if only the sake of their young. Courtship
briefly.Those that rear young together as must help foster this trust.

COURTSHIP MUTUAL DISPLAY
Courtship has two functions. It bonds pairs together Gannet’s ritualized postures reinforce
in a lasting partnership but, initially, it also helps the their commitment to their nest and to
each other. They “fence” with raised
female to choose which male to mate with.A female bills in greeting and bow with open
is impressed by the size, colour, ability of a male to wings to show “ownership” of the nest.
perform complex courtship rituals, and sometimes Fencing develops into nape nibbling,
even his competence at fighting off other males. mutual preening, and mating.
These attributes indicate that a male is fit, strong,
and efficient.A female
will invest a huge amount CHASE AND DISPLAY
of time and energy into A male Redshank is determined
the rearing of her chicks to mate with the hen of his choice
and therefore must make and must impress her with his
the right decision when persistence and colourful displays.
choosing which male She will eventually give in to him if
to breed with. she is suitably interested. Courtship
displays continue for some weeks
as the pair learn to trust each other
and accept close contact in order
to mate and share parental duties.

FIT TO BREED
Wildfowl have ritualized calls and
displays specific to their species.
This male Ruddy Duck is literally
blowing bubbles to impress:
he rattles his bill against his
breast feathers, forcing air from
between them into the water.

THE LEK
A lek is a communal
display ground where TOP MALE
males of some species, A male Pheasant calls and thrashes his wings,
such as these Black raising his tail to make himself look as big
Grouse, have mock as he can. He does this in order to dominate
battles. The outcome is other males and attract a hen. Once he has
serious, though: females her attention, he will tilt towards her, drooping
choose the strongest, his nearside wing and spreading his tail, to
most dominant males show himself off to best advantage.
to mate with.

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