In the case of a bird such as a peacock, males will go through their ritual courtship display for any passing female; females will mate with only one male, usually the one with the most elaborately decorated tail. Indeed, according to sexual selection theory, it is the female’s fault that the male has such a ridiculous tail at all. Males evolved long tails to charm females. Females evolved the ability to be charmed to be sure of picking the best males.
