Sand terns try to mate with the dead male

Scientists encountered a homosexual case in the terns, when three males repeatedly tried to mate with corpses on the side of the road.

According to the International Business Times, researcher Naoki Tomita and Yasuko Iwami at Yamashina Academy, found that three male terns surrounded a dead bird on the side of the road. All of them are constantly trying to mate with dead dead birds lying close to spreading wings. This phenomenon is called kinetic examination . One of the three guarded the body so that the other two could not fight.

Scientists have returned to the incident that took place in early June 2014. After 15 minutes, the birds left, according to New Scientist. The team believes this is a case of confusion, when the terns are mating with females.

Picture 1 of Sand terns try to mate with the dead male
Sand terns may mistakenly believe a corpse is a female.(Screenshot: Youtube).

In a study published in January 2016 in the journal Ornithological Science, learners identified homosexual cases that can occur in species with males and females that look alike.

Homosexual behavior is found in birds. About 130 bird species are recorded to have homosexual behavior. One theory is that this brings evolutionary benefits, helping individuals protect their territory and improve their social status.

However, in the case of sandstorms, it is likely that the cause is the mistake and the posture of the dead bird causing the others to think it is a female.

"Based on observations, we believe that this homosexual case may be due in part to hermaphrodite phenomena in the animals and posture of dead terns. Posture is an important factor promoting Males mate for the same male and female species , "the team said.

However, scientists cannot explain why birds try to mate with corpses. This has been observed in other birds and animals, but the cause is still a mystery.