Not Only People Anymore; Birds Are Also Getting “Divorced”

We often link the notions of marriage and divorce with people. But these days, separations or divorces are also linked to birds. This is because many experience long-distance relationships and extramarital affairs. This is not simply a hunch or a wild assumption. The basis for everything rests on science. It is essential to first understand how these winged species behave. According to The Guardian, more than 90% of bird species are believed to have only one partner for at least one mating season. Some of these monogamous animals do change to a new spouse during a different mating season. Even when their original partner is still living, this occurs. This behavior is referred to as “divorce”.

Two key explanations for why this may occur are provided by a study that was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal. The scientists from China and Germany examined information from 232 different bird species. Divorce rates, death rates, migration distances, and male and female promiscuity ratings were taken into account.

It was discovered that a correlation existed between male promiscuity and greater divorce rates. Which animal best demonstrates this? The study has a solution, however. Plovers, swallows, martins, orioles, and blackbirds had high rates of both male promiscuity and divorce. Findings on who has lower rates of male promiscuity and divorce are also available. Petrels, albatrosses, geese, and swans are some of these species.

The reason why male promiscuity is a significant contributor to the growth in divorce rates was also discovered by the researchers. Their “affairs” spread resources across multiple girls as well as dividing their attention between them. The guys were less desirable as mates as a result. However, female promiscuity wouldn’t have the same repercussions. This is due to the male being more active in parental care when there is doubt over the child’s paternity.

Additionally, studies have shown that divorce rates are greater among species that had to move across larger distances. The early arrival may mate with a different partner, resulting in a “divorce,” when couples migrate and arrive at their destination at separate times. A ‘divorce’ owing to unintentional loss might potentially result from migration if partners end up in separate breeding locations. According to Dr. Zitan Song, who was quoted in The Guardian, “This impact becomes stronger as migratory distance increases.

The research did not include Dr. Samantha Patrick, a marine biologist of the University of Liverpool. The studies, in particular the link between migratory asynchrony and divorce rates, piqued her intense curiosity, she said. She suggested that the timing of migrations may become more unpredictable due to climate change. Additionally, this may result in a rise in interspecies divorces.