According to a study of birds by the researchers from the University of Exeter, Carleton University, Canada and the Royal Veterinary College, the “more exploratory” female birds apparently favor male partners who are outgoing as well as confident, irrespective of their appearance.

As per the findings of the study, while the less adventurous female birds do not show any preference for any particular attributes in their mates, the more adventurous ones fall for the ‘personality’ of the males rather than their looks, body size and condition, or the color of their beak.

The findings – published in the journal Ethology - have been based on the outcome of the “personality tests” that the scientists conducted on over 150 birds. In their separate assessments of the males and females, the scientists chiefly ascertained the levels of exploratory behaviour by watching the readiness of the birds to explore new environments as well as observing their reaction to new objects.

It was found that female birds that are exploratory in nature generally tend to show a preference for males males who appear to the most outgoing, no matter what their physical appearance. In comparison, the less exploratory female birds showed no preference for either male.

Noting that study provides “strong evidence that females care about the apparent personality of their male independently of his appearance,” lead researcher Dr Sasha Dall - from the University of Exeter - said: “We have the first evidence that it is important for partners to have compatible personalities in the mating game.”