Many females are drab in color, usually to camouflage them while on the nest. During courtship, birds need to seek out their own species. Males establish a territory and attract females. Mating is a very tiring procedure to the birds. Most pairs of birds remain together throughout the breeding season.
Prairie chickens meet, mate and separate.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds remain together only a few days. Ducks remain together until incubation begins. Canada geese mate for life. Most birds mate when they are one year old. Some birds hatch several broods each year.