Even more fascinating:
Male satin bowerbirds spend their first seven years looking like females.
During this time, they practice the courtship by observing and even engaging in courtship interactions with other males before developing their iconic blue plumage.
So, what do we learn from this?
Evolution through sexual selection is not only about who is bigger, better, and stronger. But it is also about who listens and connects best.
Even more fascinating:
Young male satin bowerbirds spend years observing and practicing before developing their iconic plumage.
Sexual selection is not only about who is bigger, brighter, stronger.
But who listens and connects.
Know other examples? Tell us below 👇
❤️
14.02.2026 11:44
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The sage grouse
With his extravagant display, he seems like the star of the show: The male sage grouse inflates his air sacs, and produces some surreal popping sounds to impress the females.
However, what looks like a one man show is actually a social interaction.
The male has to pay attention to the female’s subtle movements she uses to display interest or disinterest. Only by reading her cues, he can direct his energy effectively and increase his reproductive success.
The satin bowerbird
The male bowerbird builds ornate bowers decorated with carefully chosen blue objects.
However, his reproductive success is not determined by his impressive display but is also linked to how well he reads and responds to the female’s behavior.
What looks like a solo performance…
is actually social interaction.
From sage grouse to satin bowerbirds, reproductive success depends on reading and responding to cues.
👇 One more fascinating twist in the next post.
14.02.2026 11:44
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EvoKE wishes you a Happy Valentine's Day and wants you to check out our info post about sexual selection
Citius, Altius, Fortius
Faster. Higher. Stronger.
Since Charles Darwin introduced sexual selection, it’s often been reduced to a simple story:
Males compete harder.
Shine brighter.
Outperform rivals.
Win the female.
This interpretation makes courtship look like a one-way performance.
But evolution is rarely a solo act.
Many mating systems only make sense when we look at what’s happening on both sides.
In "Bitch”, zoologist and science writer Lucy Cooke highlights research by behavioral ecologist Gail Patricelli:
Sexual selection doesn’t just shape flashy traits.
It can also foster the development of something else: social intelligence
Let’s spotlight some courtship behaviors
Happy Valentine’s Day 💌
Citius, Altius, Fortius — faster, higher, stronger.
Sexual selection is often told as a competition story.
But is courtship really a one-way performance?
👇 Examples in the next post.
#ValentinesDay #EvolutionaryBiology #EvoKE
14.02.2026 11:44
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www.linkedin.com/pulse/empowe...
23.04.2025 06:24
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climate.copernicus.eu/esotc/2024
15.04.2025 17:30
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That's why...
01.04.2025 07:18
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www.linkedin.com/pulse/more-o...
16.03.2025 16:59
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#DarwinDay was celebrated in Greece, where our upcoming EvoKE meeting will take place! The Hellenic Evolutionary Society filled the NKUA amphitheater to explore how #evolution can help us tackle Anthropocene challenges.
Prof. Dr. Evangelia Mavrikaki presented our project and our goals!
14.02.2025 16:26
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📢We're thrilled to announce that EvoKE2025 will take place in Athens, Greece, from 6th-8th November 2025!
Join us to share your work, build international connections, and boost #evolution education and outreach.
Stay tuned for more details! #EvoKE2025
03.02.2025 11:19
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Missed Jörg Zabel’s EvoKE Webinar? Don’t worry—we’ll be releasing it on our YouTube channel soon!🎥
In the meantime, check out the fantastic project Jörg mentioned at grandiloquents.fr/en and discover the comic book used to teach evolution.🐋
Enjoy exploring!
24.01.2025 16:31
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Curious about how #sciencecomics can enhance understanding of #evolution theory? 🌍
Join our next EvoKE Webinar "Promoting Understanding of Evolution Theory through a Science Comic" by Prof. Dr. Jörg Zabel!
📅 January 24th, 2025 | 4 PM CET / 10 AM EST
🔗https://bit.ly/4hcqsBn
14.01.2025 18:47
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Antarctica: Historic Drilling Campaign Reaches more than 1.2-Million-Year-Old Ice
www.beyondepica.eu/en/
10.01.2025 07:40
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Today marks the bicentennial of Alfred Russel #Wallace (1823–1913), the other father of the theory of evolution. 🌿🐒
Wallace’s pioneering work in natural history and biogeography remains a cornerstone of evolutionary science. Let’s celebrate his legacy with these resources ⬇️
08.01.2025 12:40
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