Understanding Bird Behavior: Courtship

Volumes could be (and have been!) written about courtship, breeding, and nesting behavior in birds. This essay will explore some aspects of courtship we might observe in our own backyards this Spring.

Courtship ceremonies are quite complex because they must be species-specific to preclude the pairing of different species and the timing must coincide with the species’ reproductive cycle. Through courtship, pair-bonds are formed; there are three basic types– monogamy, polygamy, and promiscuity. Although most of our backyard birds are monogamous–they have only one mate at a time–the majority do not mate for life. Polygamy is the pair-bond that forms between one male and two or more females (or vice versa); red-winged blackbirds are polygamous. The hummingbird is an example of a promiscuous species: they do not form pair-bonds at all and the male takes no part in nest building or the rearing of young.

The first stage of courtship usually involves the male establishing his territory. Many of our backyard birds defend their territory with song. It’s only February but you’ve probably already heard cardinals and chickadees singing. Woodpeckers don’t sing to declare their territory – they drum! Now you know who’s been waking you up (and why!) early in the morning tapping away at your downspout or chimney flashing.

While defending their territory, most males act aggressively towards all other members of their species including females. This behavior is often observed in cardinals at your birdfeeders. Eventually, though, as courtship continues the female joins the male on his territory and you’ll find them peaceably feeding together.

The pair-bonding behavior we most often observe is mate-feeding: the female lowers her body and quivers her wings appearing submissive to the male then he takes a seed in his beak and passes it to her. I’ve observed this behavior many times in house finches, blue jays, and cardinals.

Carefully observe the birds in your backyard this Spring and you’ll probably see many activities related to courtship; watch for the different ways the various species engage in this fascinating behavior.