Page 14 - My FlipBook

I LIkE YOu!

ALL PuFFED uP ARtIStIc

Frigatebirds Bowerbirds

Party balloons have nothing on the What an effort! Male bowerbirds take
bright red balloons that male frigate- months building their love nests—
birds inflate during courtship . The decorating, cleaning and beautifying
seabirds throw themselves ashore and them to attract a female . Because they
take up position in the nesting area . themselves are plain and can’t show
They beat their wings, rattle their bills off spectacular plumage or put on an
and inflate their bright red throat sacs eye-catching dance performance, they
into oversized balloons while females have to impress with their artistic
fly overhead . Clearly the female frigate- talent . Look, they say, I have the nicest
birds find these fat red balls irresistible . apartment of all!
However, once two birds have paired
up, this display of male beauty quickly After fertilization, however, the pains-
shrinks away . As soon as the female taking constructions play no further
becomes pregnant, a shrivelled sac on role . The females lay their eggs in normal
the neck is all that remains of the plump nests high up in the trees .
balloon .
Each bowerbird has its own advertising
strategy .

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