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.
Get up close with wild animals in Planet Earth II, featuring stunning spectacles and intimate encounters shot from the animals' own perspectives. Learn more.
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.