Bird Mating: Are Birds Monogamous?

Did you ever wonder whether birds are monogamous. Before exploring this question, it's important to understand there are different types of monogamy. According to WikiAnswers, there are three types of monogamy: sexual monogamy, social monogamy, and genetic monogamy.

Sexual monogamy can either be for a season or a lifetime. Comparatively, in social monogamy, the birds cooperatively raise their chicks, but they have flings outside the relationship. With genetic monogamy, the DNA confirms the chicks have only father, but the couple may not be together.

According to David Lack, a famous ornithologist, 92% of the 9,700 birds species were monogamous. However, with the advancement in science, especially DNA testing, researchers are finding out birds may not be aa monogamous as we thought. Several studies have helped to change our ideas on this subject.

One study found that female red-wing blackbirds mated to males that had a vasectomy had eggs in their nests. Another study that examined blood types and protein analysis found that up to 40% of the nestlings were not fathered by the social father. However, the reasons why some female birds are unfaithful are still unclear.

To see a chart of monogamous birds, click here.