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Most birds do not have the same reproductive body parts as mammals. Instead, both male and female birds have a cloaca – one opening (also called the vent) that serves as the bodily exit for their digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. This means that the same opening that excretes feces and urine is where eggs are laid. During the breeding season, the cloaca swells and protrudes slightly outside the body, while during the rest of the year it is much less prominent.
When birds are ready to breed, their reproductive organs – the testes and ovaries – swell and produce the sperm and ova. Male birds store sperm in their cloaca until an opportunity to mate arises, and females will receive that sperm into their cloaca before it travels to fertilize their ova.
The courtship between a pair of birds can last much longer than the actual act of copulation. Courtship behavior may include several stages, from initially claiming territory to actually wooing a prospective mate with visual and auditory displays – spectacular flights, intricate songs or even elaborate dances. The courtship period is the time when a male bird seeks to show off his health and strength to convince a female that he is her best possible mate and will help her create the strongest, healthiest chicks with the best chance to survive.
Once a female bird is receptive to a mate – whether it is a new mate every breeding season or simply renewing ties with a life-long partner – the actual mating can take place. The positions and postures birds assume to mate can vary somewhat, but the most common is for the male bird to balance on top of the female. The female may hunch or bow to give the male easier balance. She will then move her tail aside to expose her cloaca to his reach, and he will arch his body so his cloaca can touch hers. The brief rubbing of cloacas may last less than a second, but the sperm is transferred quickly during this "cloacal kiss" and the mating is complete. The balancing may take longer as the birds stay touching one another, and several "kisses" might occur. Birds will remain excited by their hormones for a week or more and will mate several times during that period to increase the chances of successful insemination.
Some bird species, most notably several species of swans, geese and ducks, do not have simple cloacas, but instead male birds have an actual phallus (penis) that is inserted into the female during mating. The penis is formed by an extension of the cloacal wall, and unlike mammals, is erected by lymph rather than blood. Having a penis helps different types of waterfowl mate in the water without the sperm washing away. Several other bird species, including cassowaries, kiwis and ostriches, also have penises rather than cloacas, but the mating act is still only a brief encounter.
After mating, the sperm travels to the ova for fertilization, and eggs may be laid in just a few days or it may be several months before eggs are ready to be laid and the final brooding of the nest begins.
Many birders are at first thrilled to see unique bird behavior, then quickly become embarrassed when they realize they are watching birds mate. Because the mating act is so brief, being observed does not typically disturb the birds, but it is important to realize that this is still a delicate time period for pairs of birds.
If you see mating birds, it is best to keep your distance – approaching more closely may spook the birds and force them to leave, which can interrupt their courtship or hurt their bond. This may also cause difficulties for raising a brood or completing a successful mating if the pair splits prematurely. If they are severely disturbed, they may leave their carefully chosen territory and be forced to relocate to a less suitable area that may not provide for all their hatchlings' needs.
After the birds have mated, they may remain nearby to nest and raise their brood. This can provide a unique opportunity for birders to observe a growing bird family, but the same caution should be taken to stay away from the nest in order to safeguard young birds. Too much attention can distress parent birds, forcing them to abandon the nest or hatchlings. Drawing attention to the nest can also attract predators, and birders should take great care to not disturb nesting birds in any way.
Seeing mating birds can be exciting, and it's a great reminder of how special spring birding can be. By understanding how birds mate, birders can better realize what unique behaviors they see in the field and can take steps to protect the nesting birds and their young.
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