Scientists are astonished by new research: birds also go through divorces and hold grudges.

Amazing facts about bird love.

Chinese and German ornithologists have made a sensational statement after analyzing the behavior of more than two hundred bird species. Among birds, there is a tendency not to maintain long-distance relationships and have affairs on the side.

Of course, the way humans perceive the behavior of some animals and birds may contradict the laws of nature. Who among us hasn’t thought that a sad face of a mischievous dog expresses remorse for its mischief? Admitting that our beloved pets are very different from us is not easy. For instance, when people see a pair of swans, they call them husband and wife because it’s cute and similar to human relationships.

However, the animal world follows different rules. 90% of monogamous birds stay with a single partner for at least one breeding season. Although some individuals cannot resist the role of the “model family member” and occasionally have affairs on the side. Interestingly, the researchers from China and Germany, who observed these behaviors, report that it is males who tend to cheat the most. If a female detects her partner’s infidelity, she does not forgive it and “divorces” the cheater, driving him away. Remarkably, females’ infidelity does not have the same effect, and they are allowed to have affairs.

Ornithologists talk about the passions in bird relationships. It is not appropriate to assign moral definitions from human society to the animal world. The sense of life for male birds is to leave as much of their genetic material as possible in diverse offspring. They are not concerned with which female this happens. On the other hand, the role of female birds is to preserve as much of their own offspring as possible.

Birds mostly implement three strategies. There are polygamous species that do not form pairs. This includes most of our ducks, grouse, partridges, and many domestic chicken-like birds. The tactic is simple: males mate with females who choose them, and the offspring are not their concern. In these species, the plumage of males is usually more beautiful and colorful than that of females because it is essential to attract as many females as possible and allow mating.

There are also species that form pairs, and they can be divided into two groups. The first forms a permanent pair, acting like a husband and wife, as seen in humans. These birds live together until the death of one of the partners. Swans, cranes, and geese are examples. They can also have affairs or “resort romances.” This also follows the male’s strategy of leaving as much genetic material as possible with different females. The second and larger group of monogamous birds forms a pair for only one season, and next year the partners change.

Meanwhile, researchers from the University of Liverpool conducted their own study and found that “divorces” among birds are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Weather and living conditions in their native habitats are becoming more unpredictable, forcing birds to change directions during migrations. As a result, pairs can be separated and cannot find their former partners.