Polygamy
Mating with more than one individual during a single breeding attempt. If a single male mates with more than one female the situation is called 'polygyny', an example of a polygynous species being the Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra. If a single female mates with more than one male, the situation is described as 'polyandry', and example of a polyandrous species being the Cuckoo Cuculus canorus. Most species, however, are not polygamous, although they may take different mates in successive years or, in the case of birds which are not single-brooded, in successive breeding attempts within the same year.From Peter Weaver's Birdwatcher's Dictionary
Copyright © 1981 by Peter Weaver