A bird without a mate is a bird without offspring. Because natural selection has placed the burden on each bird to leave descendants, birds have evolved into creatures that use a variety of methods to meet the challenge of providing the next generation.

Courtship and mating rituals are among the most varied and fascinating of all bird behaviors. The sequence and variety of courting behaviors vary widely among species, but they typically begin with territorial defense and song followed by mate-attraction displays, courtship feeding, and selection of a nest site.