Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do lekking birds attract mates?

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A zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) with a bright orange beak, gray head, orange cheek patch, and black-and-white striped tail perches on a branch. — Bird A brightly colored zebra finch (*Taeniopygia guttata*) perched on a branch.

Lekking birds attract mates by gathering in a communal area known as a lek, where males perform elaborate courtship displays to entice females.12

In these arenas, males—which are often brilliantly colored—engage in various behaviors to demonstrate their fitness, including:

Posturing and Dancing: Males may perform complex, sometimes cooperative, dances or strutting displays.132
Vocalizations: Song is a primary tool used to attract females to the display grounds.32
Manipulation of Objects: Some species incorporate the movement or arrangement of objects into their performances.2

These display areas are often used for many years, with some arenas maintained for decades. Unlike many other bird species that form long-term pair bonds, lekking birds do not form lasting relationships. After mating occurs at or near the lek, the female departs to build a nest and raise the young independently, without assistance from the male.312