According to evolutionary theory, why do females typically provide parental care in birds and mammals?

Females typically provide parental care in birds and mammals because they often have higher reproductive costs related to care. In many species, the female invests a significant amount of energy and resources into producing eggs and gestating offspring. This investment includes not only the physical energy required for reproduction but also the time and resources spent nurturing and protecting the young.

Since females bear these higher costs, they are more inclined to ensure the survival of their offspring, which can lead to a greater likelihood of their genetic contribution being passed on to the next generation. When both parents are present, the care can be shared, but females tend to take the lead because they have more at stake in terms of their reproductive success.

Additionally, female care can increase the survival rates of the young, ensuring that the energy and resources they invested in reproduction do not go to waste. This behavior is also shaped by evolutionary pressures that favor those females whose offspring survive to maturity, thus perpetuating the traits that promote maternal care.