How do falconiform courtship displays help form pair bonds?

In falconiforms—a group that includes birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, and falcons—nuptial displays serve as essential communication tools that facilitate the formation and maintenance of pair bonds.1

These courtship behaviors help establish bonds through several key functions:

• Communication and Synchronization: Displays, which range from vocalizations (calling from perches or during soaring flight) to complex aerial maneuvers like undulating flight, diving, and swooping, allow potential mates to locate one another and synchronize their reproductive readiness.1
• Reduction of Hostility: Because birds of prey are often territorial and possess dangerous weapons in the form of sharp bills and talons, courtship displays act as appeasement signals. These rituals help reduce aggression between partners, allowing them to approach one another safely.21
• Mutual Interaction: Many falconiforms engage in mutual displays, such as diving with lowered feet toward a partner or "cartwheeling," where the pair locks feet and descends in a whirling flight. These interactions reinforce the bond between the two individuals.1
• Identity and Species Recognition: These displays serve as identity checks, ensuring that individuals pair with the correct species, thereby preventing the waste of reproductive effort.2

While many falconiforms pair for life, these displays remain vital for reinforcing the bond each breeding season.1