Page 10 - My FlipBook
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uring courtship, animals have to work hard to find
Da suitable partner. It’s all about producing offspring
and passing on their unique characteristics. In most
cases, the females get to be choosy, while the males have
to make an impression. So they prance, dance, sing and
fight to show off what they can do. It takes a lot of energy
to outdo the competition. But once a choice has been
made, the actual mating often takes just a few moments.
LOOK AT ME
FLAMBOYANt
Birds of Paradise
First, get their atten- The males of some species gather in a
tion . In New Guinea, the special display area . Beforehand, they’ll
many different birds often clean and tidy it, carrying away
of paradise turn mating loose sticks and stray leaves until the
into fireworks . The males, courtship arena is spotless . Each bird
who already fly about in has its own place, depending on its
glorious iridescent hues, rank . The prime spots are reserved for
transform themselves further to woo the oldest and most beautiful males .
the females . They might puff up their The young birds can join in, of course,
feathers and perform dance routines or but they’re too inexperienced to impress
flare their wings and necks to produce many of the females .
face-like patterns on their bodies . Some
look like erupting volcanoes, perched When the hopping and singing begin,
on their branches . Others spread and feathers flutter everywhere . From above,
flaunt their feather fans . or off to one side, the females watch
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