MATING SYSTEMS
Animals follow a myriad of mating systems. Some may be faithful to a mate for life or just one season, which is termed monogamy (typical of many birds). Monogamy, though relatively rare, is especially powerful for species where the efforts of both parents are needed to protect and feed the young. Others are classified as polygynous (one male mates with more than one female), or polyandrous (one female mates with many males, and often leaves the males to tend the eggs or litter).

If a bird lived in an area with abundant nesting sites and a very abundant food supply, which mating system do you hypothesize would be best adapted for this? How would you test your hypothesis?