So a lot of moths have these big eyespots on their wings as a threat display. It looks like a big scary predator’s eyes are staring at you from the dark, you’ll back off. Makes sense, right?
Only peacocks also have eyespots, but in their case it’s primarily a mating display. So what’s up with peahens that they’re like “oh yeah, all those big scary predators staring me down is super hot”??
“You can’t pick another guy over me if you can’t see him”
The answer is actually a little more boring and a lot more interesting than peahens being monsterfuckers.
They don’t actually care about the ocelli in the feathers. According to a study done to determine what, exactly, a peahen is looking at when she examines a male, she MOSTLY is looking at his sword feathers (the ones along the bottom edge of the frame). Since these are on the edges of their train when folded down, they’re the easiest to damage along with frame feathers (the Y shaped ones up top, the 2nd most viewed type), so a male that can keep them intact and in good condition must be doing something right
HOWEVER, the big fancy train (including the eyes) is not for naught. The males vibrate them at frequencies well-received by the crest of feathers on a peahen’s head. Science is uncertain what, exactly, she’s looking for in this vibration, but anecdotal evidence would suggest that a poorly maintained or poor quality train (like those of whites, whose feathers break down faster than any other mutation, and whom hens often outright reject even with no other choices) does not produce an enticing vibration.
Given that the hens barely look at the eyes, I doubt the ocelli markings really evolved for the hens.
But it sure would suck to be attacked by a tiger (their major predator in their homelands) in the middle of asking the ladies for a smash, and what do you do when trying to avoid getting attacked by tigers? You make it think you’re looking at it.
amhrancas 