NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Lifestyle News / Just like humans, birds divorce too says study
    Next Article
    Just like humans, birds divorce too says study
    Higher male promiscuity lead to higher divorce rate among birds

    Just like humans, birds divorce too says study

    By Rishabh Raj
    Jul 06, 2023
    06:26 pm

    What's the story

    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.

    Method

    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.

    Observance

    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.

    Male promiscuity

    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."

    Female promiscuity

    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.

    Accidental loss

    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.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Lifestyle
    Relationships

    Latest

    IPL 2025, Jitesh Sharma leads RCB vs SRH: Details here Indian Premier League (IPL)
    Harvard sues Trump administration over ban on foreign student enrollment  Harvard
    'Character assassination': Ammy Virk slams Bollywood for stereotyping Sikhs  Ammy Virk
    'Linguistic mistake': BJP minister apologizes again over Colonel Qureshi remarks  Congress Party

    Lifestyle

    The weird science of lucid dreaming explained Lifestyle
    Invisible heroes: Uncovering the hidden challenges faced by nursing staff Health & Wellness
    A $175 check signed by Steve Jobs sold at $100K Apple
    World belly dance day: Celebrating this timeless art form Lifestyle

    Relationships

    All about textationship: The new online dating trend Lifestyle
    How to overcome trust issues in a relationship Lifestyle
    Five tips for improving your human relations skills Lifestyle
    5 situations where you could be unintentionally rude Lifestyle
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025