Survival of the Sexiest: What the Peacock’s Tail Reveals About Evolution

Charles Darwin was perplexed by the extravagant plumage of male birds, particularly peacocks, back in 1860. Despite his groundbreaking theory of evolution published in On the Origin of Species, he found the flamboyant tails of male birds challenging to explain. Author Matt Ridley delves into this perplexing topic in his book Birds, Sex & Beauty, shedding light on Darwin’s “strangest idea” — sexual selection.

Ridley shares his firsthand experience of observing a “black grouse sex market” at 4 am in the Pennines, where male birds put on elaborate displays to attract mates. These vibrant and flashy displays raise questions about why male birds go to such lengths to flaunt their ornate plumage, which may seem impractical and even potentially dangerous. Ridley even recounts sneaking up on a peacock and catching it by the legs to illustrate this point.

The core question remains: why are peacock tails and similar ornamental features considered beautiful? Ridley ponders the concept of beauty and its significance in evolution. Darwin proposed the theory of sexual selection, suggesting that such extravagant traits are not solely the result of natural selection but rather a form of mate choice. Female birds may prefer males with elaborate traits purely for the aesthetic appeal, leading to a cycle of selection based on attractiveness rather than survival traits.

Ridley delves into the intricate dynamics of sexual selection through engaging and sometimes amusing anecdotes from his fieldwork. He explores experiments involving male birds copulating with taxidermised females and the effect of ornamentation on mating success. Through these studies, Ridley unveils the role of beauty in evolution, challenging the conventional wisdom that survival traits are the sole driving force.

In Birds, Sex & Beauty, Ridley’s passion for avian biology shines through, captivating readers with his insights into the colorful world of birds. While the book primarily focuses on avian species, Ridley’s enthusiasm for his subject is infectious, making this exploration of sexual selection and beauty in nature both enlightening and engaging.