Courtship display plays an important role in sexual selection in the natural world. In most of the species of higher order, it is the male that indulges in the display, a case in point being the famous courtship display of the male peacock. In many species, the males display their vitality by possessing breeding territories with an abundance of prey base. Courtship vocalization is also one of the mediums of communicating to the females of the species that the songster male is the carrier of good genes.
In a few cases where it is the male who is the sexually selective sex, the females indulge in the courtship. Greater Painted Snipe is one such species where the female has bright color plumage whereas the males are drab in color. In this polyandrous species the female courts with several males who incubate the eggs and raise the chicks.
However, in some species, mutual courtship behaviour is practiced whereas both sexes indulge in synchronized display. Great Crested Grebe is one of the species that indulge in an elaborate dance.
Humans, being mammals of the highest degree, indulge in multiple courtship behaviours including male courtship, female courtship, and mutual courtship.
St. Valentine’s day is observed on 14th February each year to celebrate the inherent, instinctive and compulsive courtship behaviour of the species.
Jim’s Jungle Retreat wishes that the tradition of observing St. Valentine’s day conveys the message of love to all.