Finding A Mate

Birds hae to find a mate (a bird of the opposite sex ) in order to produce chicks. Some species of birds have lots of mates, while others have just one partner for their entier lives. Birds go to amazing lengths to attract the attention of a possible mate.

Opposites Attract

It is usually the male birds who have to impress the females. For this reason, they often have brighter, more elaborate feathers. Many males spread out their feathers so that they can show them off.
Male Bonding
Some male birds, such as birds-of-paradise and sage grouse, gather in groups so that the females can wander among them and choose the bird they like most. The place where the birds gather is called a lek.
In some species of birds, the males fight to be noticed. But in other species, they care more about how attractive they look as a group.
"The Raggiana bird-of-paradise has very flamboyant feathers. This one is swinging upside down as part of its display"

Song And Dance

Some birds sing or dance to attract attention. For example, blue-footed boobies have bright blue feet that they lift up as they dance. They do this so that the female knows they are blue-footed boobies and not red-footed boobies, another species.

Bower Builders

Male bowerbirds work very hard to make a good impression. They build elaborate structures called bowers, and decorate them with bright objects such as petals, feathers and berries. The female tours the bowers and chooses the male with the most impressive bower.

Balloon Bird

During the mating season the male frigatebird develops a bright red pouch under his chin, which he inflates to attract a mate.