How does the length of a pair bond affect the complexity of courtship in animals?

In the study of reproductive behaviour, the length of a pair bond is a significant factor influencing the complexity of courtship displays, though the relationship is not always straightforward.1

• Brief Relationships: Generally, short-lived relationships are associated with simpler courtship activities. For instance, in species where males congregate at a lek to mate with visiting females before departing—with the bond lasting only seconds and involving no parental care—courtship is often brief. However, this is not a universal rule; some of these species develop exceptionally elaborate and fantastic displays in both movement and appearance to attract mates within that short window.1
• Long-term Bonds: In contrast, more elaborate forms of courtship are frequently utilized to help establish and strengthen a pair bond that may endure through the raising of offspring or even longer. These displays often incorporate behaviors appropriate to friendly, bonded situations, such as those seen between parents and their young.21

Ultimately, the degree of elaborateness in any courtship display is governed by multiple factors, including the need for species discrimination and the specific social context of the mating system.1