Why do so many species of birds differentiate sex based on beauty? It seems that the males have very distinctive coloring and females are less attractive.
I think for two reasons that is true. First, during courtship the males compete with each other for females. Females choose their mates based on song, feather coloring and courtship behavior. Secondly, in most species, the females sit on the nest so having drab colors aid in camouflaging them at this vulnerable time.
Lili,
Why do so many species of birds differentiate sex based on beauty? It seems that the males have very distinctive coloring and females are less attractive.
I think for two reasons that is true. First, during courtship the males compete with each other for females. Females choose their mates based on song, feather coloring and courtship behavior. Secondly, in most species, the females sit on the nest so having drab colors aid in camouflaging them at this vulnerable time.