Rare Footage of New Bird of Paradise Species Shows Odd Courtship Dance
September 13, 2018 - A new species of bird of paradise has been hiding under our noses. This is the male Vogelkop superb bird of paradise, found in Western New Guinea. It was originally thought to be the same bird as the famous "smiley face" superb bird of paradise. Recent observations show that their courtship characteristics are different. The Vogelkop's black cape is less oval, and its blue breast feathers look more like a "frowny face." Its courtship dance is less bouncy when it circles a potential mate. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has been conducting an eight-year-long Birds-of-Paradise Project.
Transcript
A new species of bird of paradise has been hiding under our noses.
This is the male Vogelkop superb bird of paradise, found in Western New Guinea.
It was originally thought to be the same bird as the famous "smiley face" superb bird of paradise.
Recent observations show that their courtship characteristics are different.
The Vogelkop's black cape is less oval, and its blue breast feathers look more like a "frowny face."
Its courtship dance is less bouncy when it circles a potential mate.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has been conducting an eight-year-long Birds-of-Paradise Project.
