The limitations of Sexual Selection

Hey slev,The female preference for colorful mates is spurred by the fact that such displays are signs of health and strength. Obvious evolutionary advantages for her offspring.From the male perspective, regardless of the predation dangers, the greater chance at greater reproduction potential is also an evolutionary advantage.Females who prefer bright-colored males (as signs of health, etc) have stronger healthier offspring and that includes her daughters who inherit her mating preferences.

Bassakwards, slev. It appears the bright colors signal a stronger healthier male. A sickly, weak, disease-ridden male cannot afford to put energy into much of a mating display.And don't be thinking that longevity is the determinant here. Only reproductive success is the determinant as far as evolution is concerned. You may be eaten early but if you leave behind a few dozen kids you are much more "fit" then your drab brother who lives long and old but can't get laid.

Wiki is the quickest easiest resource. The peacock? Birds of Paradise? Maybe should have read prior to the OP?Also see the Good Gene TheoryEdited by AZPaul3, : No reason given.

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Wiki on Sexual Selection

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The peacock provides a particularly well known example of intersexual selection, where ornate males compete to be chosen by females. The result is a stunning feathered display, which is large and unwieldy enough to pose a significant survival disadvantage. Biologists have suggested that the layers of the ornate plumage of males provide a means of demonstrating body symmetry, such that peahens are "trying" to discover the health of the male or the quality of his genes. Diseases, injuries, and genetic disorders may impair the body's symmetry. There is also evidence that reduced symmetry of males may result in fewer offspring, or allow males access only to females with lesser parenting skills.[14]

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As Dr. A has already stated, a dull plumage could be a sign of disease or genetic anomaly, neither of which the female would accept.In a species where sexual selection is based upon display traits any health/strength/genetic issues may have significant effects on the display and that most certainly pertains to the vibrancy of the color.In other species it may be the size of the horns or the finesse of the dance.