[muawiyah]

of course not ~ those birds don't know genes from spleens. all they're looking for is an ID, and if the dude doesn't deliver he doesn't get any.

[Dysart]

but that does not compute: we know sexual selection is largely determined by competition which implies choice propelled by desire to pass along their own genes. this is brought abt by passing along the fittest (expression) genes in the next generation and its all instintctual; so in that way they do actually recognize sucesssful genes when they see them expressed.