The Widowbird's Dance
In The Widowbird's Dance, narrator Sir David Attenborough shares how the male Jackson’s widowbird uses an elaborate courtship dance to attract a mate. This extraordinary ritual involves the male displaying his impressive breeding plumage while performing an energetic dance to catch the attention of a female. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: How does the male Jackson’s widowbird attract a mate?
A: The male Jackson’s widowbird attracts a mate by performing a complex dance and displaying his vibrant breeding plumage, which shows off his fitness and readiness to mate.
Q: Why is the female widowbird attracted to the male’s plumage and dance?
A: The female widowbird may choose a mate based on his display, as it signals the male's health, genetic strength, and ability to survive and reproduce.
Q: How do the behaviors of Jackson's widowbirds differ from those of other bird species?
A: Jackson's widowbirds' courtship ritual is highly energetic and visual, involving dancing and flaunting bright plumage, which contrasts with the simpler, quieter mating rituals of other birds.