Animals arguably make art. The male bowerbirds of New
Guinea and Australia dedicate huge fractions of their time and
energy to creating elaborate structures from twigs, flowers,
berries, beetle wings, and even colorful trash. These are the
backdrops to their complex mating dances, which include
acrobatic moves and even imitations of other species. What’s
most amazing about the towers and “bowers” they construct is
that they aren’t stereotyped like a beehive or hummingbird
nest. Each one is different. Artistic skill, along with fine
craftsbirdship, is rewarded by the females. Many researchers
suggest these displays are used by the females to gauge the
cognitive abilities of her potential mates, but Darwin thought
that she was actually attracted to their beauty. In other words,
the bowers ; they are
appreciated by the females for their own sake, much as we
appreciate a painting or a bouquet of spring flowers. A 2013
study looked at whether bowerbirds that did better on
cognitive tests were more successful at attracting mates. They
were not, suggesting whatever the females are looking for, it
isn’t a straightforward indicator of cognitive ability.
① block any possibility of reproduction
② aren’t simply signals of mate quality
③ hardly sustain their forms long enough
④ don’t let the mating competition overheat
⑤ can be a direct indicator of aggressiveness6
