To attract a mate, they flip a part of their back feathers called their cape and dance in semi-circles.Photograph by Tim Laman. The whole thing looks a bit like a bunch of uptight and perplexed pink birds that have gotten lost and are looking for the right route. The intricate moves of a mating dance and the charming songs used to woo partners can help distinguish species so birds are sure to choose genetically compatible mates. The birds-of-paradise are among the most beautiful creatures on earth—and an extraordinary example of evolutionary adaptation. Some male birds gather in leks, not unlike nightclubs, to dance in a group and invite curiosity from nearby females. The ultimate purpose of courtship is to attract a receptive mate, but there are several other purposes behind the courtship behavior of different bird species. This birds feathers have some of the darkest black pigment in the world. Until recently, scientists thought the superb bird was unique among the 43 birds of paradise that comprise the Others perform feats of strength and endurance to prove their value. In some species, males will perform ritualized movements to attract females. On this site you can find what few have witnessed in the wild: the displays of color, sound, and motion that make these birds so remarkable. The name "tinikling" is a reference to birds locally known as tikling, which can be any of a number of rail species, but more specifically refers to the Slaty-breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus), the Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis), and the Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus). But the dance is indeed quite organized and purposeful. And in some species, males and females dance together to form a pair bond while putting on a show. Then you can delve deeper, examining the principles that guided their evolution and the epic adventure it took to bring you all 39 species. Dancing with the Birds 2019 TV-PG 51m Science & Nature Docs From ruffling their majestic feathers to nailing im-peck-able courtship routines, birds in paradise flaunt their best moves in hopes of … The male six-plumed bird-of-paradise (Parotia lawesii) exemplifies male courtship display with its ritualized "ballerina dance" and unique occipital and breast feathers that serve to stimulate the female visual system.