The Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise (Lophorina niedda) is confirmed to be an entirely new species, thanks to its distinctive dance. Sometimes a new species is hiding in plain sight…
source/image: LabofOrnithology
Meet the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise. Learn more about how the distinct song, dance and courtship appearance of the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise confirms its new species status./read more: (peerj)
This video footage reveals that when expanded for courtship display, the Vogelkop male’s raised cape creates a completely different appearance – crescent-shaped with pointed tips rather than the oval shape of the widespread form of the species.
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The way the Vogelkop male dances for the female is also is distinctive, his steps being smooth instead of bouncy.The new footage confirms that the western species has a unique mating display. Its black “background” is crescent-shaped, and the blue breast feathers that form the “mouth” point downward and droop—turning that smile into a frown, or maybe a mustache.
