Velvet Black Coat Combining With An Iridescent Blue Scarf, The Magnificent Riflebird Becomes The Star This Season

The Magnificent riflebird is such an extraordinary bird! This species has velvet black plumage that makes it stand out from the crowd. More noticeably, its iridescent blue-green crown and triangle-shaped breast shield turn this bird into kings in its colony.

When a male is trying to get a female's attention, he will distort his body and puff out his feathers to highlight the turquoise patterning, which shines through the low light of the forest. He will fan out his wings and sway, dancing until a female draws close and allows herself to be embraced and mated with. It's such a complex ritual that juveniles have been observed practicing in their nest.