lek
- noun
- /lɛk/
- Specialized
:
lek
- For example, the male sage grouse in Malheur in Oregon go to the lek in January.
- lek mating
- lek site
- females on the lek
Examples
-
Although rare among large mammals, lek mating systems have been found among the Uganda kob and several other African antelopes.
Academic text (1991) -
Another possibility is that mating on the lek enables females to choose genetically superior mating partners.
Academic text (1991) -
Sometimes she'll return to the same lek for several consecutive days.
Academic text (2010) -
Most males stake out their own territories within a lek.
Academic text (2010) -
Does move to the lek alone or in small groups, often chased by young males.
Academic text (1991) -
During the rest of the day, we counted nine more mating sequences on the lek, all of them similar to the first.
Academic text (1991) -
On the lek, estrous does were chased between territories by young bucks about three times per hour.
Academic text (1991) -
But each year, when it comes time for a female to reproduce, she visits the leks to find a sire for her offspring.
Academic text (2010) -
In spring, the male birds gather at the lek to showcase their feathers and attract mates.
-
The dance of the males at the lek is a spectacular sight during the breeding season.
Synonyms
A yearly gathering of birds where males show off to attract mates
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
Lek for the animal display place comes from a Norwegian word leik meaning 'play' or 'dance'. Male birds and animals 'play' or 'dance' there to attract mates, so the place is called a lek.
