Look Up In the Sky!

It's a bird!

A what you say? That's a bird? 

Indeed, it's a male Longtailed Widowbird. How do I know it's a male? Because this is what the female looks like: 

She's a bit on the drab side. We first saw these astonishing winged creatures at Lion's Gate, and every time I saw one thereafter, I made Jeff pull over so I could attempt to photograph it. Futile, as my photography skills are never great, because these things twist and scoot across the sky like winged kittens. 

I'll share my best efforts, because these really are spectacular birds, and worthy of a look, even if the photos aren't so great. 

Check out that tail! 

Male Widowbirds have been studied by scientists in great depth for a very interesting reason: 

When flying, male Long-tailed Widowbirds are readily visible due to their extremely long tails. Between six and eight of their twelve tail feathers are approximately 20 inches long.

Because of the seemingly large cost to such male ornaments, the Long-tailed Widowbird has been the subject of extensive research into the function and evolution of sexually selected traits. This research has demonstrated the existence of female choice in sexual selection and indicates the trade-offs between sexual appeal and physical constraints with regard to the evolution of sexual ornaments. Wiki Long-Tailed Widowbird

And, as it turns out, it all turns on the tail: the longer the tail, the more likely a male bird is to find a mate and reproduce. Which would run counter to sensible thinking, which would assume that a long tail is going to get in the way more often than not, and be a determent to reproduction.  

The male Long-tailed Widowbird has one of the most remarkable ornaments among passerine birds. Their tails, which are often more than half a meter (20 inches) long, are the most extreme sexual ornament among Euplectes and seem to in fact be detrimental to the survival of the male. Thus, the tail appears to oppose forces of natural selection in the basic sense by decreasing survival in individuals who carry the trait. It was for this reason that researchers have chosen to focus their research into female choice on the confusing example of the Long-tailed Widowbird. Wiki Long-Tailed Widowbird

Why this is true, no one knows. But it has been demonstrated that if you artificially extend a male Widowbird's tail, the ladies will prefer him over a dude with a natural tail.

I think that might explain a good bit of what happens at the New Jersey Shore, but maybe I'm extrapolating too far.

Next: The Drakenbergs

 

Comments

[Beth P]

Years ago I worked with imported birds in Florida and was astounded to find out that when its not breeding season these guys look JUST like females! Quite a surprise in the spring when we had paired them off on looks the previoius year LOL.... some of them turned out to be pairs of boys.

[Ellen]

But how can that be?? The boys are black and the girls are brown!

[Beth P]

They molt twice a year... the males molt into "female" plumage when breeding season ends and molt back into the "male" plumage when it begins again. :)

[Beth P]

They call it Nuptial Plumage

"During prenuptial moulting, prior to the breeding season, the males replace their non-breeding feathers"