the capercaillie display
Females choose
Older cocks are the most attractive. Hens determine their age by watching their display. An older cock plays a waiting game. He carefully watches the hen and does not approach her until he gets clear signals that she is willing to mate.
Hot to trot
A young cock is usually hot to trot and tries to mate straight away. But the hen stays at a distance! Only few cocks mate with almost all the hens, because of the hens' choosing habits. Most cocks do not mate at all.
