• Question: why do some male birds puff up when it is the time for mating?

    Asked by iluvwilmas to Adam, Joanna, Louise S, Marcus on 21 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Joanna Giles

      Joanna Giles answered on 21 Nov 2012:

      Hi!
      Male birds puff up to make themselves look bigger. By looking bigger to a female mate, it sort of tricks the female into thinking that that male has good strong genes for breeding. The female will be attracted to this because she wants her offspring to be big and strong to ensure survival in the future. I’m pretty glad humans don’t puff up though! That would be weird!!

    • Photo: Louise Stanley

      Louise Stanley answered on 21 Nov 2012:

      Hi,

      The male birds can also puff up as a warning sign to other males to stay away as they think all the females are theirs to mate with!

    • Photo: Marcus Wilson

      Marcus Wilson answered on 21 Nov 2012:

      Hi animals do the wierdest things to lok more attractive but so do we! Both guys and girls puff out their chests, blush and their pupils dilate when they are attracted to people. this is all due to an near involuntary response called the sympathetic nervous system, its triggers the same response if your scared though….

      so if you want to see if someone fancies you, or is scared of you, look at their eyes!

    • Photo: Adam Paige

      Adam Paige answered on 22 Nov 2012:

      Joanna – I’m not sure I would say that humans do not puff up though. Just take a look at the dolled up guys and gals at any nightclub.

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