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Courtships Collection

Courtships in the animal kingdom are a fascinating display of love and devotion

Background imageCourtships Collection: Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult pair, in courtship display on water, River Thames

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult pair, in courtship display on water, River Thames, Henley-on-Thames, Thames Valley, Oxfordshire, England, april

Background imageCourtships Collection: Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) adult male, breeding plumage

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) adult male, breeding plumage, with head raised in courtship display, swimming in arctic lake, Varanger, Norway, june

Background imageCourtships Collection: Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophoris) adult pair, courtship preening, close-up of heads

Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophoris) adult pair, courtship preening, close-up of heads, Falkland Islands

Background imageCourtships Collection: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) adult pair, with necks entwined, courtship behaviour on water

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) adult pair, with necks entwined, courtship behaviour on water, Oxfordshire, England, May

Background imageCourtships Collection: Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) adult pair, summer plumage

Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) adult pair, summer plumage, circling on lake in bonding display, North Michigan, U.S.A. june

Background imageCourtships Collection: The prodigal son (left page), Jacob de Gheyn (II), Petrus Hogerbeets, Ger. Valk, 1596

The prodigal son (left page), Jacob de Gheyn (II), Petrus Hogerbeets, Ger. Valk, 1596

Background imageCourtships Collection: The prodigal son (right page), Jacob de Gheyn (II), Karel van Mander (I), Pieter

The prodigal son (right page), Jacob de Gheyn (II), Karel van Mander (I), Pieter Hogerbeets, 1596

Background imageCourtships Collection: Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) adult pair, courting during breeding season, June

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) adult pair, courting during breeding season, June

Background imageCourtships Collection: Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) adult pair, courting before mating on beach, Horsey Gap, Norfolk

Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) adult pair, courting before mating on beach, Horsey Gap, Norfolk, England, October

Background imageCourtships Collection: Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta) adult pair, breeding plumage, displaying in tree, Florida, U. S

Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta) adult pair, breeding plumage, displaying in tree, Florida, U. S. A. February
Great Egret (Ardea alba egretta) adult pair, breeding plumage, displaying in tree, Florida, U.S.A. February

Background imageCourtships Collection: Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) adult pair, courtship in redd nest on stony riverbed, River Test

Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) adult pair, courtship in redd nest on stony riverbed, River Test, Hampshire, England, June

Background imageCourtships Collection: Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis) adult male, breeding plumage

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis) adult male, breeding plumage, creating bubbles in courtship display on pond amongst cattail stems, North Dakota, U.S.A. June

Background imageCourtships Collection: Great Bustard (Otis tarda) adult male, with wing tag, displaying beside decoys used to attract

Great Bustard (Otis tarda) adult male, with wing tag, displaying beside decoys used to attract previous releases back to release site, released in reintroduction project, Wiltshire, England, March

Background imageCourtships Collection: Great Bustard (Otis tarda) adult male, with wing tags, displaying to adult female

Great Bustard (Otis tarda) adult male, with wing tags, displaying to adult female, released in reintroduction project, Wiltshire, England, March

Background imageCourtships Collection: Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) adult pair, displaying on water, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) adult pair, displaying on water, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, Norfolk, England, February

Background imageCourtships Collection: Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) adult pair, male performing courtship display to female

Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) adult pair, male performing courtship display to female, Uluru-Kata Tjuta N. P
Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata) adult pair, male performing courtship display to female, Uluru-Kata Tjuta N.P. Red Centre, Northern Territory, Australia, September

Background imageCourtships Collection: Golden Bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana) adult male, decorating bower structure with flower for

Golden Bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana) adult male, decorating bower structure with flower for courtship display, Crater Lakes N.P

Background imageCourtships Collection: Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) adult pair, in courtship display, Queensland, Australia

Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) adult pair, in courtship display, Queensland, Australia, November

Background imageCourtships Collection: Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) adult, in courtship display, Queensland, Australia, November

Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) adult, in courtship display, Queensland, Australia, November

Background imageCourtships Collection: Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) adult pair, in courtship display, Chobe River, Chobe N. P

Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) adult pair, in courtship display, Chobe River, Chobe N. P. Botswana, June
Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) adult pair, in courtship display, Chobe River, Chobe N.P. Botswana, June



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Courtships in the animal kingdom are a fascinating display of love and devotion. From the graceful dance of the Great Crested Grebe on the River Thames to the intimate preening of Black-browed Albatrosses in the Falkland Islands, these courtship rituals captivate our hearts. In Oxfordshire, England, a pair of Mute Swans entwine their necks, symbolizing their deep affection for one another. Their elegant courtship behavior is mirrored by another waterfowl couple, the Whooper Swans, who brave frozen lakes and snowy landscapes in Sweden during winter. The Great Northern Diver takes its courtship to North Michigan's serene lakes as it circles its partner in a mesmerizing bonding display. Meanwhile, Mute Swans in Nottinghamshire enchant us with their close-up head movements during their own courtship performance. Art has also captured courtships throughout history. Jacob de Gheyn's "The Prodigal Son" tells a tale of redemption and forgiveness through intricate illustrations that grace both left and right pages. Not limited to birds alone, Sand Lizards engage in courting behaviors during breeding season. These reptilian lovers showcase their affectionate interactions under June's warm sun. Even marine mammals partake in elaborate courtships. Grey Seals on Norfolk's Horsey Gap beach prepare for mating by engaging in tender displays before taking the plunge into an oceanic romance. Lastly, we witness an extraordinary sight as Great Egrets don breeding plumage and perform captivating displays high up on trees in Florida. Their majestic presence reminds us that courtships transcend species boundaries. Whether it be through dances or gestures of tenderness, these creatures remind us that love knows no bounds - from rivers to oceans and from frozen lakes to sunny shores - they can universal expressions of connection and devotion across all walks of life.