Among birds-of-paradise, good looks are not enough to win a mate
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 - 17:40
in Biology & Nature
Male birds-of-paradise are justly world famous for their wildly extravagant feather ornaments, complex calls, and shape-shifting dance moves -- all evolved to attract a mate. New research suggests for the first time that female preferences drive the evolution of physical and behavioral trait combinations that may also be tied to where the male does his courting: on the ground or up in the trees.