Sperm competition in birds

Abstract

Ornithologists have known for a long time that males of monogamous bird species sometimes copulate with females from other pairs, but it is only in the last few years that researchers have shown that these extra-pair copulations can result in offspring and increase male reproductive success. Males time their extra-pair copulations to coincide with the period when females are fertilizable, and they show a range of remarkable behaviours to help them secure these matings, since in most cases females attempt to avoid them. At the same time, males of most species employ one of two strategies (mate guarding or frequent copulation) to avoid being cuckolded themselves. © 1987.