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Social monogamy in mammals is defined as sexually mature adult organisms living in pairs. [1] While there are many definitions of social monogamy, this social organization can be found in invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, fish, birds, mammals, and humans. [2]
The amount of social monogamy in animals varies across taxa, with over 90% of birds engaging in social monogamy while only 3–9% of mammals are known to do the same. [6] [29] [30] This list is not complete. Other factors may also contribute to the evolution of social monogamy.
In this list of birds by common name 11,278 extant and recently extinct (since 1500) bird species are recognised. [1] Species marked with a "†" are extinct. Contents
[2] [3] [4] In a variety of vertebrate species (e.g., about 80% of birds [5] and about 6% of mammals), [6] both males and females invest heavily in their offspring. Many of these biparental species are socially monogamous , so individuals remain with their mate for at least one breeding season.
Close to ninety percent [3] of known avian species are monogamous, compared to five percent of known mammalian species.The majority of monogamous avians form long-term pair bonds which typically result in seasonal mating: these species breed with a single partner, raise their young, and then pair up with a new mate to repeat the cycle during the next season.
Social monogamy, sexual monogamy, and genetic monogamy can occur in different combinations. Social monogamy is relatively rare in the animal kingdom. The actual incidence of social monogamy varies greatly across different branches of the evolutionary tree. Over 90% of avian species are socially monogamous. [10] [16] This stands in contrast to ...
Homosexual behavior is found amongst social birds and mammals, particularly the sea mammals and the primates. [3] In 1986, it was even discovered amongst insects when butterfly scientist W.J. Tennent observed four male Mazarine blues competing for the attention of another male in Morocco. [5]
The black swan, Cygnus atratus is a large waterbird which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia.An estimated one-quarter of all black swans pairings are homosexual and they steal nests, or form temporary threesomes with females to obtain eggs, driving away the female after she lays the eggs.