One of the most spectacular avian displays I have ever seen was put on by a male bird-of-paradise in an Australian rain forest.
The bird flapped its wings, snapped its tail and put on a high-energy dance — all for the benefit of a bored-looking female on a nearby tree branch.
If all that dancing is not enough, the male bird-of-paradise has another very special talent — It can glow.
Scientists have long studied this process and have discovered that over 80% of birds-of-paradise species can convert the sun’s ultraviolent rays into bright greens and yellows. The process is known as biofluorescence. The resultant glow helps these birds accentuate their brilliant colors in mating displays.
Deep sea fish glow in the ocean depths, also to attract a mate.
One bird that does not glow but does show off lots of colors is the painted bunting. Found in the southern United States and throughout Mexico, this avian beauty is multi-colored. The male combines red, green, blue and black, while the female is a more subdued green and yellow.
Peacocks also have a riotous display of colors when they spread their bountiful tail feathers. Green jays have a unique deep green color and the Andean cock-of-the rock is a marvelous shade of orangish red.
If it’s bright, vibrant colors you’re after — just look at the birds!
