What happens at a lek where males gather to court females?

A lek, also known as an arena, is a communal area where two or more males of a species gather to perform courtship displays to attract females. This behavior is observed in various insects, birds, and mammals.12

At a lek, the following dynamics typically occur:

• Male Interaction: Males congregate at the site to display. The level of interaction between them varies significantly, ranging from virtually no interaction to closely cooperative dancing. In some species, males may compete for position or display aggressively toward one another.132
• Elaborate Displays: Despite the brevity of the mating encounter, lekking species often develop some of the most elaborate and fantastic displays in both movement and appearance to entice females.2
• Female Selection: Females visit the lek briefly for the specific purpose of selecting a mate and copulating. They often choose from among the gathered males, though in many cases, mating is concentrated among only a few centrally placed or dominant males.123
• Lack of Pair Bonds: Lekking is characterized by a lack of lasting pair bonds; the relationship between the male and female typically lasts only a few seconds, and males do not participate in any parental care.12