The Spectacular Dance of Spatuletail Hummingbirds
In The Spectacular Dance of Spatuletail Hummingbirds, narrator Sir David Attenborough introduces the marvelous spatuletail hummingbird, a tiny bird with big challenges! While the females fly with ease thanks to their lightweight bodies, the males have long colorful tail feathers they use to perform amazing dances to impress a mate. These fancy moves are exhausting, but the male pulls out all the stops, hoping his performance will win the female's attention. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
Lesson Express
Q: How might the male marvelous spatuletail’s courtship dance affect its survival in the wild?
A: The courtship dance requires a lot of energy, which could make the male more vulnerable to predators or reduce the time it has to find food. However, successfully impressing a female ensures that the male can pass on its genes; this transfer is essential for the survival of the species.
Q: What strategies could the male marvelous spatuletail use to conserve energy while still impressing the female?
A: The male could focus on perfecting a few highly effective movements instead of performing long, exhausting displays. He might also wait for ideal conditions, such as when he is well-fed and rested, to maximize his chances of success without wasting too much energy.
Q: How do the male and female marvelous spatuletails’ physical traits and behaviors differ, and why are these differences important?
A: Female marvelous spatuletails have lightweight bodies and efficient wings, making flying easier, while males have long, decorative tail feathers for courtship displays. These differences are important because they reflect the different roles in reproduction, with males focusing on attracting a mate and females prioritizing efficient flight for survival.
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