Reinterpreting Same-Sex Pairing in Black Swans (Cygnus atratus): Alternative Reproductive Strategies Driven by Environmental Pressures and Cost-Benefit Analyses

In behavioral ecology, male-male pair bonds in black swans (Cygnus atratus) have frequently been dismissed through anthropomorphic framing or as stochastic errors in operational sex ratios. However, given that male-male pairs account for approximately 25% of all pair bonds within black swan populations, this high frequency strongly suggests an adaptive evolutionary strategy rather than a mere behavioral anomaly. This paper reevaluates same-sex pairing in black swans through the framework of conditional alternative reproductive strategies (ARS) shaped by severe environmental pressures and ecological constraints. By analyzing the adaptive outcomes of these bonds, we challenge conventional non-adaptive interpretations and provide a comprehensive perspective on avian behavioral flexibility and reproductive success.