Summary
Ritualised displays that help animals select and attract suitable mates.
In depth
Female choice favours honest indicators of male quality. Rituals reduce mistakes in mate choice and aggression. Examples: bowerbird bowers, birds-of-paradise dances, fireflies' flash patterns.
Courtship allows species recognition, assessment of fitness and synchronisation of behaviour and physiology. Each step acts as a trigger for the next in a chain of signals and responses, as in the stickleback sequence.
Example: female choice for symmetrical or brightly coloured males may indicate good genes or low parasite load.
Frequently asked questions
What is Courtship?
Ritualised displays that help animals select and attract suitable mates.
Which area of biology covers Courtship, and how advanced is it?
Courtship is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Pheromones, Fixed Action Patterns, Communication.
Can you give an example of Courtship?
Stickleback males build nests and perform a zigzag dance.
What should I learn before Courtship?
Courtship is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour that pair well with it include Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour.
What topics are related to Courtship?
The closest topics to Courtship are Pheromones, Fixed Action Patterns, Communication, Innate Behaviour. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Courtship?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Courtship. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Courtship different from Pheromones?
Courtship: Ritualised displays that help animals select and attract suitable mates. Pheromones: Chemical signals released by an animal that affect others of its species. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Courtship step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Pheromones and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.