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Biology

Sexual Selection and the Evolution of Exaggerated Ornaments in Birds-of-Paradise

Quick fact

Some male birds-of-paradise perform courtship dances that last for hours, and their feather ornaments can be longer than their entire body, yet females often inspect only a few males before choosing a mate.

Why this is interesting

In the forests of New Guinea, males of some bird species are so dazzling that early naturalists thought they were visitors from paradise. Yet these same males pay a heavy price for their beauty—making them easier for predators to spot. How did such extravagant traits ever evolve?