First Feathered Rascal...the Superb Bird of Paradise
Rascal: Lophorina superba aka the Superb Bird of Paradise; male (as are most Rascals it seems)
Rascally Act: Turning himself into a flat creepy iridescent dancing smiley face. (And all, of course, to entice potential female mates.); Using evolutionary processes to procure wanton sexual relations
Rascally Details: This slick playa hails from the rainforests of New Guinea. Since the number of females is quite low, there is fierce competition among the males "to get 'em some." Due to the limited opportunities for sexual action, the male Superb Bird of Paradise developed a bizarre, rambunctious, and visually scary courtship ritual.
The male first prepares himself a dance floor by sweeping and cleaning with leaves. Next, he attracts females with a loud call. When and if a female approaches, he spreads his black feather cape and blue-green breast shield symmetrically around his head, thus becoming a cartoon-like elliptical shaped-figure. Further, he dances around the female in circles, snapping his tail feathers on the ground. Obviously, this Rascal really wants to get laid.
Rascally Act: Turning himself into a flat creepy iridescent dancing smiley face. (And all, of course, to entice potential female mates.); Using evolutionary processes to procure wanton sexual relations
Rascally Details: This slick playa hails from the rainforests of New Guinea. Since the number of females is quite low, there is fierce competition among the males "to get 'em some." Due to the limited opportunities for sexual action, the male Superb Bird of Paradise developed a bizarre, rambunctious, and visually scary courtship ritual.
The male first prepares himself a dance floor by sweeping and cleaning with leaves. Next, he attracts females with a loud call. When and if a female approaches, he spreads his black feather cape and blue-green breast shield symmetrically around his head, thus becoming a cartoon-like elliptical shaped-figure. Further, he dances around the female in circles, snapping his tail feathers on the ground. Obviously, this Rascal really wants to get laid.
At left: The object of his affection. This drab-colored lady sends our male feathered friend into a tizzy. Through sheer transformation, intimidation, and primal fear, he wooooos her toward physical pleasures so that his eerie dance moves can evolve within his progeny. The average female rejects 15-20 potential suitors before consenting to mate.
At left: Phases of the mating dance. If he scares the shit out of her, he either gets laid (unlikely), or she flies away with a quickness (more likely).
Here's to ya, Superb Bird of Paradise, male variety. You have spent generations and thousands of evolutionary years perfecting the "New Guinea Hustle"...just to get yourself a little tail.
Now, that is about as Rascally as they come.
And so, rainforest playa, we raise our white butterfly-collared leisure suits (and sweaty armpits) to ya, Superb Bird of Paradise, ya horny feathered Rascal!
Now, that is about as Rascally as they come.
And so, rainforest playa, we raise our white butterfly-collared leisure suits (and sweaty armpits) to ya, Superb Bird of Paradise, ya horny feathered Rascal!