I was reading a thread a few weeks ago (I think it was in the religion forum) in which someone posted about monogamous animals (parrots, maybe?).

Anyway, someone posted about a study that was done on these birds that had always been assumed to mate for life.

They tested the DNA in the eggs of the neigboring birds, and found that they "cheated" on their partners, and in fact, were not sexually monogamous.

Does anyone know anything about thsi study?
(I knew I should have taken notes when I read it)

What about other species?
What species are believed, falsely, to be monogamous?
What species (if any) actually ARE confirmed to be sexually monogamous for life?
What about past death?

Thanks.

I think there are hardly any species that are monogamous. I guess the Male Praying mantis could be but he doesn't have much of a choice after having been decapitated and all.

However, he's not monogamous if he's quick enough and happens to get away, which happens every so often.

Ironically, I believe that ravens are monogomous. I recall a PBS or Discovery channel thing about that...

If memory serves, so are penguins.

At any rate, here's an interesting view on the topic: http://www.scienceblog.com/community/article1678.html

pretty sure albatross are monogamous (some species anyway)

many birds are monogomous, common example: the pigeon, has a lifemate and if that lifemate dies, its been shown to be in a period of "mourning", not taking a new mate for a very long time, if ever.

I read just today that sparrows are monogamous, I don't know if there are any cases of "cheating" but I don't think thats their style...

I once read an article in a newspaper saying that one species of sea-horse is also monogamous, which ironically causes its being endangered since the males (if my memory is correct) are captured all the time to be placed in aquariums....

Just as a POI ...

There is a difference between having a life partner and
being monogamous.