Do Parrots Mate for Life? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
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Although birds are often depicted as a symbol of true love, most species have a poor reputation for being “faithful”. There are species where the male will openly mate with multiple females and vice versa. Even within certain monogamous relationships, it isn’t uncommon for “cheating” to occur. Although parrots aren’t always faithful to one partner and there are exceptions among the numerous parrot species, many of these species mate for life and will stay together in and out of the breeding season.
Parrots don’t stay together because they enjoy each other’s good looks and humor but rather to increase their chances of successful reproduction and ensure that their offspring have the best chance at survival. However, there is a lot more to this complicated relationship, so keep reading.
Why Do Some Parrots Mate for Life?
Having a mate for life isn’t done out of a desire for commitment but rather as an attempt for the parrots to pass down their good traits and ensure that their lineage continues. Although parrots don’t mate for the enjoyment of it, they do seek companionship and will reject potential partners that they don’t get along well with on a social level. Parrots that do pair up will develop good communication, groom each other, and will work together to raise their young.
Several parrot species have a lifespan of over 60 years, which is a long time. Monogamy is often seen among species that have long lifespans because their offspring are often needy and have the best chance at survival with both parents caring for them.
Monogamous parrots may mate with other parrots while committed to their lifelong partner. However, they may leave their mate if they cannot produce chicks or in the case of death. Anecdotally, a parrot that loses their partner can struggle with the loss, and they may grieve for months. During this time, they may reject a new potential mate and refuse to bond with them.
Choosing a Mate for Life
Parrots can be just as picky at finding a mate as a human. There are several factors that stand out to parrots that help them decide on a life partner; these are:
Plumage
Although it might be hard for humans to tell one parrot apart from the next, this is an easy task for a parrot because they have tetrachromatic eyes, which allow them to see a larger variety of colors. The intensity of a parrot’s coloring can say a lot about their health and abilities, which will either attract a mate or turn them away.
Showmanship
Good looks aren’t the only factor that a parrot considers. They also want to see a bit of showmanship. In order to attract a female, male parrots will establish a courtship area where they will call for female parrots and compete against each other by finding the best spot, displaying their spread-out wings, and hopping around in a dance-like motion for their onlookers.
A Singing Voice
A beautiful singing voice is a great tool to woo a female parrot because it tells her that he is healthy, has good genes, and is a good candidate for successful breeding. Interestingly, female parrots tend to pick mates that have a voice similar to their own.
When Do Parrots Look for a Mate?
Although it differs from one species to another, parrots reach sexual maturity between 1 and 4 years old. These birds go through hormonal changes, just like humans, and can experience personality changes, making them hard to please. Once they have reached sexual maturity, they will look for a mate.
Unfortunately, a parrot that is raised away from other parrots may bond to other objects, including humans, in a process known as imprinting. This causes them to be disinterested in any parrot that is introduced to them during the breeding season as they don’t recognise them as a potential mate.
Final Thoughts
Parrots are a monogamous species that can mate for life. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re always faithful to each other, as bonded parrots may mate with other parrots or leave their partner if they cannot reproduce. Parrots mate for life for reproduction purposes, but they seem to enjoy the social aspect and having a companion to raise their young with.
Having feathers with intense colors, putting on a good performance, and having a beautiful singing voice are ways that males attract female parrots, as these factors indicate good health, strong genes, and successful breeding.
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Featured Image Credit: atiger, Shutterstock
