Expert: Walter Hintz - 3/25/2010

Question
Mr. Hintz,

Hi! I know I'm going off topic, again, but I had a quick question about animals choosing mates. With peacocks, the males attract the females by having colorful feathers. I maybe wrong but I am assuming the male with the best feathers gets the best females. But, does a lack of colorful enough feathers actually affect a peacock’s chances of living? I mean colorful feathers won't keep away a predator, at least not with peacocks. So, in theory, couldn't the one with the best colors actually be the least fit to survive? In other words isn't this whole color idea counter-productive?

Mark

Answer
Besides a physiological an organism can suffer a genetic death if they do not pass on their DNA. The peacock that does not mate suffers genetic death.  The male whose strutting behavior or colorful tail display does not attract a female will not pass on the DNA. Most male birds depend upon behavior or coloration for attracting the female.  Not having the best colors  however will not affect their longivity.
 Just for the heck of it look up Bower birds