Can someone please explain this?

The male resplendent quetzal bird has evolved to have tail feathers that are approximately 60 cm long. The female quetzal has short tail feathers. Using the quetzal as your example, describe how the mechanism of natural selection may have led to the evolution of the male quetzal’s extraordinarily long tail feathers.

Question

Can someone please explain this? 

The male resplendent quetzal bird has evolved to have tail feathers that are approximately 60 cm long. The female quetzal has short tail feathers. Using the quetzal as your example, describe how the mechanism of natural selection may have led to the evolution of the male quetzal’s extraordinarily long tail feathers.

destinymasha · Answer

The first thing that comes to mind is what is called "sexual selection". 
 Which means: 

"natural selection arising through preference by one sex for certain characteristics in individuals of the other sex".

destinymasha · Answer

It seems as if the population of those with shorter tails decreased since the females generally preferred those with longer tails and were chosen.

anonymous · Answer

That's what I was thinking. I was just trying top find an easy way too write it out. :)