Photo Essay: Mating Games
Courtship Flights are an amazing display of color and acrobatic flying
Courtship Flights are an amazing display of color and acrobatic flying
Across the continent's breeding grounds, waterfowl take part in timeless spring mating rituals. Ducks participate in acrobatic pairing flights, which are an important step in selecting a mate.
Photo © Michael Furtman
Handfuls of gaudy drakes, cloaked in vivid breeding plumage, jockey for position near sought-after hens.
Photo © Michael Furtman
Male suitors outnumber females by a wide margin, so courtship competition is intense.
Photo © Michael Furtman
Courtship consists of signals by male and female birds - such as calls, posture and feather displays - to indicate the condition of their respective sexual interests. Aggressive behavior among competing males is not uncommon.
Photo © Michael Furtman
While courtship flights appear playful, this is serious business for all involved.
Photo © Michael Furtman
In the never-ending process of natural selection, only the strongest, most experienced male breeders may prevail in winning mates.
Photo © Michael Furtman
The strong bond forged between a paired hen and drake is vital to the hen's nesting success.
Photo © Michael Furtman
The hen will face many hazards on the nesting grounds, where her drake must also vanquish legions of would-be suitors and defend the pair's territory against other pairs.
Photo © Michael Furtman
It will, after all, be the progeny of the most successful pairs that eventually take to the skies, ensuring a bright future for their species.
Photo © Michael Furtman
Once pair bonds have been formed, some males, particularly wood ducks, take an active role in seeking out suitable nest sites.
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