Just like humans, birds divorce too says study
While we often perceive birds as symbols of unwavering love and loyalty, the truth is that birds too go through divorces. A recent study on bird breakups published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B has revealed fascinating findings that draw parallels between avian and human relationships. Just like humans, birds can end their unions due to affairs and extended periods of separation.
Key factors in bird divorce: male promiscuity and long-distance migrations
To understand the link between divorce rates and bird behavior, researchers utilized existing data on divorce rates among 232 bird species, combined with mortality data and migration distances. The team also assigned separate "promiscuity scores" to the males and females of each species. Researchers now say they have found two key factors that play a role in bird divorce: male promiscuity and long-distance migrations.
Closely related species often had high divorce rates
Researchers also conducted an analysis examining the evolutionary relationships between bird species to understand the impact of common ancestry. Their findings show that species closely related to each other tended to have similar divorce rates, regardless of whether those rates were high or low. This suggests that evolutionary history plays a crucial role in shaping divorce patterns among bird species.
How does male promiscuity contribute to higher divorce rates?
"When a male bird is promiscuous, it is often perceived as a reduction of this commitment, as his attention and resources are divided among several females," explained Dr. Zitan Song, co-author from Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany. He further stated, "This can make him less attractive as a partner, and thus more likely to be 'divorced' in the next breeding season."
Is the effect the same in case of female promiscuity?
"A male can also augment his fitness by mating with multiple females," says Dr. Song. As a result, in species where males have more opportunities for promiscuity, divorce rates may be higher. However, Dr. Song proposed that female promiscuity may not have the same effects. This is because the uncertainty surrounding the paternity of offspring could lead to increased male participation in parental care.
Migration too plays a key role in divorce
Dr. Song explained that when bird pairs migrate, they may reach their destination at different times. This can create circumstances where the first arrival might mate with another partner, leading to a 'divorce' from the previous mate. Moreover, migration can cause pairs to end up in separate breeding sites, resulting in 'divorce' due to unintentional separation. This effect intensifies with increasing migration distance.
