Breeding is an important physiological act. In birds the pattern of breeding is quite elaborate. For example, breeding requires a number of preparations. Selection of a suitable place of area is one of the important aspects of breeding.

Coming together of males and females as mates is another important aspect. This requires courtship. The aim of courtship is to overcome an indifferent or hostile attitude and bring the two different sexes together so that they may remain together for sometime to be able to participate in copulation and to help in the construction of nests, etc. in courtship, the male bird has to take the initiative.

He may dance before the female, bring food for her, and prevent other males from meeting her. The idea behind courtship is not only to engage in copulation but to from a partnership, a bond which must be maintained in raising their family.

Generally, one male and one female constitute a family. In this case only one makes mates with a single female. This condition is known as monogamy. About 90% of the birds belong to this category.

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In some cases, one male bird mates with several female birds. This condition is known as polygyny of which baya bird is an example. Peacopck our national bird is polygynous. A male peacock maintains a harem of 4-5 hens.  In contrast to polygyny, there is a condition known as polyandry wherein several males mate with a single female as in painted snipe and jacana.