Gifts In Nature

Throughout our lives we spend thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds on gifts and presents to our loved ones. To those we aim to show love and affection some times gifts can reflect the way we feel or a proposal for a  life long commitment. There is an art to gift giving though; it’s not all about the money but the sentiment behind it. When a couple gets engaged a ring symbolises the commitment to the other person and the future they aim have together.  Though there aren’t exactly jewellers in animal world, gift giving to show this devotion is practised.  The males of the Satin Bowerbird species (PtilonorhynchidaeI violaceus), do offer an unusual gesture to attract a female. Males build a bower nest and surround it with items appealing to the females. In this species case the females love the colour blue. So just like any male in our species he gives the lady just what she wants, by surrounding his nest with anything blue from berries to bottle tops, if it’s blue he’ll take it.  If the female likes what she sees then she will pursue courtship with him. Though I’m not suggesting we all start getting our partners blue berries or bottle tops, getting our other halves gifts or making passionate gestures to show our affection or romantic intention is something found in many species.