What is courtship?
- courtship can be described as mate-selection rituals. Animal courtship may involve complicated dances or touching, vocalisations, visual display of beauty or fighting prowess, or via chemical production (pheromones, etc.). Courtship rituals are species specific. Even closely related species have different courtship behaviours. This ensures that energy is not wasted on interspecific mating. One of these example is the bowerbirds (ptilonorhynchidae). Their courtship behaviours are renowned for their unique courtship. Males build a structure and decorate it with sticks and brightly coloured objects in an attempt to attract a mate. Mate-searching females commonly visit multiple bowers and many females end up selecting the same male. Underperforming males fail to attract mates and reproduce. The most elaborately decorated bower took more energy and resourcefulness on the part of that male bird, suggesting greater 'fitness' as a potential mate. This mate is more likely to collect quality food and nest resources and have an increase chance of reproductive success.
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