Why is monogamy more common in birds than it is in mammals?

Monogamy refers to the formation of a long-term bond between two individuals of the opposite sex, with both partners participating in raising their offspring. In animals, monogamy can be observed in various species of birds and some mammals. The prevalence of monogamy in birds is greater than in mammals. Let's explore the reasons behind this difference.

One of the critical factors leading to the evolution of monogamy in birds is the need for both parents to participate in the care of their offspring. Many bird species lay eggs in nests that require protection from predators, and their young are often born altricial - helpless and requiring extended care after birth. This means that both parents need to provide food and protection to their offspring. When both partners invest in raising their offspring, it increases the chances of their survival, ultimately benefiting the continuation of their genetic line.

In contrast, the majority of mammals have a different system of parental care. Mammalian offspring are usually born in a relatively advanced state, either as precocial young (requiring minimal parental care) or semi-precocial young (requiring some level of parental care). Additionally, most mammals have internal gestation and lactation, indicating that the female is the primary caregiver for the offspring, while the male's contribution is mainly limited to the initial act of mating. As a result, it's less common for males to form long-term bonds with females, leading to a lower prevalence of monogamy.

Evolution often favors traits that lead to the successful propagation of an individual's genes. The differences in parental care and reproduction between birds and mammals have contributed to the different rates of monogamy observed in these groups. In birds, the need for both parents to ensure the survival of their offspring has led to the evolution of monogamous mating systems. In mammals, however, the skewed ratio of parental investment, primarily by females, has made monogamy less advantageous for males. Consequently, they might gain greater reproductive success by mating with multiple partners, leading to a higher prevalence of polygamous mating systems. This ultimately results in a lower occurrence of monogamy in mammals compared to birds. In conclusion, monogamy is more common in birds because it provides evolutionary advantages that are less prevalent in mammals, in terms of reproduction and the care of offspring. The difference in the parental care systems, with two-parent care being more important in birds and one-parent care (usually female) being more common in mammals, has contributed significantly to the prevalence of monogamy in birds compared to mammals.