Tim Laman & Ed Scholes: Birds of Paradise | Nat Geo Live

everything extraordinary are interesting

everything extraordinary are interesting are fantastic about male

are fantastic about male

are fantastic about male birds-of-paradise

birds-of-paradise

birds-of-paradise is solely the results of the selection

is solely the results of the selection

is solely the results of the selection pressures of female birds-of-paradise

pressures of female birds-of-paradise

pressures of female birds-of-paradise or their mates sometimes we think of

or their mates sometimes we think of

or their mates sometimes we think of this as survival of the fittest this is

this as survival of the fittest this is

this as survival of the fittest this is about individuals at very in ways that

about individuals at very in ways that

about individuals at very in ways that make them more attractive to the

make them more attractive to the

make them more attractive to the opposite sex and allow them to make more

opposite sex and allow them to make more

opposite sex and allow them to make more frequently and we might think of this as

frequently and we might think of this as

frequently and we might think of this as survival of the sexiest

survival of the sexiest

survival of the sexiest [Music]

this project all started back in 2004 I

this project all started back in 2004 I received one of my dream assignments for

received one of my dream assignments for

received one of my dream assignments for National Geographic magazine I’ve been

National Geographic magazine I’ve been

National Geographic magazine I’ve been interested in birds of paradise for many

interested in birds of paradise for many

interested in birds of paradise for many years but it took some doing to fly

years but it took some doing to fly

years but it took some doing to fly convinced the editors to sponsor a story

convinced the editors to sponsor a story

convinced the editors to sponsor a story on the subject but I got an assignment

on the subject but I got an assignment

on the subject but I got an assignment and I but I knew I couldn’t do it alone

and I but I knew I couldn’t do it alone

and I but I knew I couldn’t do it alone and I started looking into who was doing

and I started looking into who was doing

and I started looking into who was doing research in the field I learned about

research in the field I learned about

research in the field I learned about Ed’s work he’d received a grant from

Ed’s work he’d received a grant from

Ed’s work he’d received a grant from from the society a couple years before

from the society a couple years before

from the society a couple years before and he was off in New Guinea making

and he was off in New Guinea making

and he was off in New Guinea making expeditions and and using this rather

expeditions and and using this rather

expeditions and and using this rather primitive video technology you see there

primitive video technology you see there

primitive video technology you see there so so ed was out there or using video to

so so ed was out there or using video to

so so ed was out there or using video to record the birds behavior and study

record the birds behavior and study

record the birds behavior and study their evolution in a comparative way and

their evolution in a comparative way and

their evolution in a comparative way and this was like I said eight years ago

this was like I said eight years ago

this was like I said eight years ago look sad like you also got a little

look sad like you also got a little

look sad like you also got a little grayer since then but but really the

grayer since then but but really the

grayer since then but but really the reason that it was such a perfect match

reason that it was such a perfect match

reason that it was such a perfect match to team up with Ed was his his great

to team up with Ed was his his great

to team up with Ed was his his great field experience and ability to locate

field experience and ability to locate

field experience and ability to locate the birds in the field

the birds in the field

the birds in the field he knows the calls down cold we could

he knows the calls down cold we could

he knows the calls down cold we could arrive at a new location but we’ve never

arrive at a new location but we’ve never

arrive at a new location but we’ve never been to before and within a very short

been to before and within a very short

been to before and within a very short period of time I would be able to home

period of time I would be able to home

period of time I would be able to home it on the birds start to find their of

it on the birds start to find their of

it on the birds start to find their of her display sites and so on so he really

her display sites and so on so he really

her display sites and so on so he really brought an expertise in the field in New

brought an expertise in the field in New

brought an expertise in the field in New Guinea that was really critical to make

Guinea that was really critical to make

Guinea that was really critical to make this project possible tim is a scientist

this project possible tim is a scientist

this project possible tim is a scientist by training and it is his PhD working in

by training and it is his PhD working in

by training and it is his PhD working in the canopy in Borneo and is this this

the canopy in Borneo and is this this

the canopy in Borneo and is this this skill this perspective as a scientist

skill this perspective as a scientist

skill this perspective as a scientist and as a tree climber that’s been

and as a tree climber that’s been

and as a tree climber that’s been extremely valuable and important to our

extremely valuable and important to our

extremely valuable and important to our project working on birds of paradise and

project working on birds of paradise and

project working on birds of paradise and so for me I was a biologist mostly

so for me I was a biologist mostly

so for me I was a biologist mostly working on birds of paradise that I

working on birds of paradise that I

working on birds of paradise that I could see from the ground or near the

could see from the ground or near the

could see from the ground or near the ground and there’s a lot of them but

ground and there’s a lot of them but

ground and there’s a lot of them but there are plenty that I wouldn’t have

there are plenty that I wouldn’t have

there are plenty that I wouldn’t have been able to have access to at all if it

been able to have access to at all if it

been able to have access to at all if it wasn’t for Tim’s and incredible ability

wasn’t for Tim’s and incredible ability

wasn’t for Tim’s and incredible ability to get into the canopy and give us this

to get into the canopy and give us this

to get into the canopy and give us this amazing canopy perspective so even me as

amazing canopy perspective so even me as

amazing canopy perspective so even me as a bird of paradise biologist a lot of

a bird of paradise biologist a lot of

a bird of paradise biologist a lot of these things I got to see for the first

these things I got to see for the first

these things I got to see for the first time through the eye of Tim’s lens it’s

time through the eye of Tim’s lens it’s

time through the eye of Tim’s lens it’s really key to get up in the canopy for

really key to get up in the canopy for

really key to get up in the canopy for some of those species that display up in

some of those species that display up in

some of those species that display up in the treetops you know some do display on

the treetops you know some do display on

the treetops you know some do display on the ground but species like this red

the ground but species like this red

the ground but species like this red bird of paradise choose the highest

bird of paradise choose the highest

bird of paradise choose the highest perches up in the canopy in this case

perches up in the canopy in this case

perches up in the canopy in this case the blind I built to photograph this

the blind I built to photograph this

the blind I built to photograph this bird was 50 meters or 165 feet off the

bird was 50 meters or 165 feet off the

bird was 50 meters or 165 feet off the ground which was like to the high

ground which was like to the high

ground which was like to the high one that I had to build but from this

one that I had to build but from this

one that I had to build but from this same blind I photographed the same bird

same blind I photographed the same bird

same blind I photographed the same bird I think on a different morning I got

I think on a different morning I got

I think on a different morning I got this shot when he was doing this

this shot when he was doing this

this shot when he was doing this inverted display and that was what got

inverted display and that was what got

inverted display and that was what got us going five months of fieldwork over

us going five months of fieldwork over

us going five months of fieldwork over three years between 2004 and 2006 that

three years between 2004 and 2006 that

three years between 2004 and 2006 that we spent working on this story and

we spent working on this story and

we spent working on this story and somewhere along the way during those

somewhere along the way during those

somewhere along the way during those first three years probably in some field

first three years probably in some field

first three years probably in some field camp not unlike this one and perhaps in

camp not unlike this one and perhaps in

camp not unlike this one and perhaps in some fit of tropical delirium Tim and I

some fit of tropical delirium Tim and I

some fit of tropical delirium Tim and I have this idea of you know hey this is

have this idea of you know hey this is

have this idea of you know hey this is working out well we’ve done pretty good

working out well we’ve done pretty good

working out well we’ve done pretty good on this first three years why don’t we

on this first three years why don’t we

on this first three years why don’t we continue and try to see if we can

continue and try to see if we can

continue and try to see if we can document all 39 and I don’t think at

document all 39 and I don’t think at

document all 39 and I don’t think at that time we realize exactly what that

that time we realize exactly what that

that time we realize exactly what that meant how long it would take us to

meant how long it would take us to

meant how long it would take us to finish the rest but that became our

finish the rest but that became our

finish the rest but that became our objective so of course in order to

objective so of course in order to

objective so of course in order to document all 39 species that means going

document all 39 species that means going

document all 39 species that means going everywhere that all the

everywhere that all the

everywhere that all the birds-of-paradise occur so this is the

birds-of-paradise occur so this is the

birds-of-paradise occur so this is the global range of the birds of paradise

global range of the birds of paradise

global range of the birds of paradise it’s the the compilation of all the

it’s the the compilation of all the

it’s the the compilation of all the different species distribution and you

different species distribution and you

different species distribution and you can see that they occur on islands as

can see that they occur on islands as

can see that they occur on islands as far west as up here along the equator

far west as up here along the equator

far west as up here along the equator this is the homo hare island these are

this is the homo hare island these are

this is the homo hare island these are the legendary Spice Islands that some of

the legendary Spice Islands that some of

the legendary Spice Islands that some of you may be aware of they clear all

you may be aware of they clear all

you may be aware of they clear all throughout the island of New Guinea the

throughout the island of New Guinea the

throughout the island of New Guinea the mainland New Guinea but not on all of

mainland New Guinea but not on all of

mainland New Guinea but not on all of the islands offshore New Guinea only

the islands offshore New Guinea only

the islands offshore New Guinea only some and they also occur as far east as

some and they also occur as far east as

some and they also occur as far east as these populations down here in Australia

these populations down here in Australia

these populations down here in Australia some of them occur almost all the way

some of them occur almost all the way

some of them occur almost all the way down to Sydney but even over here in

down to Sydney but even over here in

down to Sydney but even over here in eastern Australia and of course this

eastern Australia and of course this

eastern Australia and of course this took us eight years so five more years

took us eight years so five more years

took us eight years so five more years after those original three we did 18

after those original three we did 18

after those original three we did 18 expeditions during the course at that

expeditions during the course at that

expeditions during the course at that time we spent over 500 days in the field

time we spent over 500 days in the field

time we spent over 500 days in the field visiting 51 unique field sites all

visiting 51 unique field sites all

visiting 51 unique field sites all throughout that range all just a

throughout that range all just a

throughout that range all just a document the 39 species yeah somehow

document the 39 species yeah somehow

document the 39 species yeah somehow along the way I managed to take over

along the way I managed to take over

along the way I managed to take over 39,000 photographs and we’d only have

39,000 photographs and we’d only have

39,000 photographs and we’d only have time to see all of them tonight so so

time to see all of them tonight so so

time to see all of them tonight so so I’ve made a small selection and so what

I’ve made a small selection and so what

I’ve made a small selection and so what I want to do here is is give you a

I want to do here is is give you a

I want to do here is is give you a chance to actually see these birds and

chance to actually see these birds and

chance to actually see these birds and see at an example of one male from each

see at an example of one male from each

see at an example of one male from each of the 15 genera as if they were all

of the 15 genera as if they were all

of the 15 genera as if they were all perching together so you can get a sense

perching together so you can get a sense

perching together so you can get a sense of the extreme diversity in both size

of the extreme diversity in both size

of the extreme diversity in both size and shape and coloration and also

and shape and coloration and also

and shape and coloration and also there’s a pigeon over there which is

there’s a pigeon over there which is

there’s a pigeon over there which is probably a bird you’re much more

probably a bird you’re much more

probably a bird you’re much more familiar with which is also drawn to

familiar with which is also drawn to

familiar with which is also drawn to scale so you get a sense of size and

scale so you get a sense of size and

scale so you get a sense of size and here’s a really great example of

here’s a really great example of

here’s a really great example of diversity in size the greater bird of

diversity in size the greater bird of

diversity in size the greater bird of paradise

paradise

paradise is one of the bigger members of the

is one of the bigger members of the

is one of the bigger members of the family and right next to him is his

family and right next to him is his

family and right next to him is his closest relative a member of the genus

closest relative a member of the genus

closest relative a member of the genus that Wilson’s bird of paradise is in and

that Wilson’s bird of paradise is in and

that Wilson’s bird of paradise is in and he’s one of the smallest now we’re gonna

he’s one of the smallest now we’re gonna

he’s one of the smallest now we’re gonna slide over and I want to point out that

slide over and I want to point out that

slide over and I want to point out that if you look at the species over there on

if you look at the species over there on

if you look at the species over there on the far right those are the sort of the

the far right those are the sort of the

the far right those are the sort of the earliest branch off the bird of paradise

earliest branch off the bird of paradise

earliest branch off the bird of paradise family tree that’s what we’re looking at

family tree that’s what we’re looking at

family tree that’s what we’re looking at here this shows their evolutionary

here this shows their evolutionary

here this shows their evolutionary relationships and those are the ones

relationships and those are the ones

relationships and those are the ones that are more crow like in color and

that are more crow like in color and

that are more crow like in color and shape and form and that’s a good way of

shape and form and that’s a good way of

shape and form and that’s a good way of pointing out that birds of paradise are

pointing out that birds of paradise are

pointing out that birds of paradise are essentially glorified crows out of the

essentially glorified crows out of the

essentially glorified crows out of the whole world of bird bird diversity birds

whole world of bird bird diversity birds

whole world of bird bird diversity birds of paradise are most closely related to

of paradise are most closely related to

of paradise are most closely related to crows and Jays things that you you know

crows and Jays things that you you know

crows and Jays things that you you know commonly would see around here in DC and

commonly would see around here in DC and

commonly would see around here in DC and not at all related to other colorful or

not at all related to other colorful or

not at all related to other colorful or exotic or tropical birds you might see

exotic or tropical birds you might see

exotic or tropical birds you might see if you you know went on safari or you

if you you know went on safari or you

if you you know went on safari or you went to Costa Rica or something but

went to Costa Rica or something but

went to Costa Rica or something but everything we saw there and everything

everything we saw there and everything

everything we saw there and everything we’ve seen so far and most everything

we’ve seen so far and most everything

we’ve seen so far and most everything we’ll see tonight are actually the males

we’ll see tonight are actually the males

we’ll see tonight are actually the males but there’s an important other part of

but there’s an important other part of

but there’s an important other part of this story of course right and that’s

this story of course right and that’s

this story of course right and that’s the females this is a female of a

the females this is a female of a

the females this is a female of a paradise rifle bird this was one of the

paradise rifle bird this was one of the

paradise rifle bird this was one of the species that lives in Australia we found

species that lives in Australia we found

species that lives in Australia we found this when the Tim took this photograph

this when the Tim took this photograph

this when the Tim took this photograph just in the mountains outside of

just in the mountains outside of

just in the mountains outside of Brisbane Australia as you can see the

Brisbane Australia as you can see the

Brisbane Australia as you can see the females look very different than the

females look very different than the

females look very different than the males they are brown much more subtly

males they are brown much more subtly

males they are brown much more subtly colored not nearly as an ostentatious or

colored not nearly as an ostentatious or

colored not nearly as an ostentatious or exaggerated but females play a very

exaggerated but females play a very

exaggerated but females play a very important role in the evolution of

important role in the evolution of

important role in the evolution of birds-of-paradise

birds-of-paradise

birds-of-paradise this is the courtship display area of a

this is the courtship display area of a

this is the courtship display area of a one male Corollas parodia he’s there in

one male Corollas parodia he’s there in

one male Corollas parodia he’s there in the middle on his court and you notice

the middle on his court and you notice

the middle on his court and you notice all of the females lined up at the top

all of the females lined up at the top

all of the females lined up at the top there you can actually see others in the

there you can actually see others in the

there you can actually see others in the background and so the most important

background and so the most important

background and so the most important take-home message that I want to give

take-home message that I want to give

take-home message that I want to give you here is that female birds of

you here is that female birds of

you here is that female birds of paradise are actually the ones calling

paradise are actually the ones calling

paradise are actually the ones calling the evolutionary shots and that

the evolutionary shots and that

the evolutionary shots and that everything that we’re gonna see that’s

everything that we’re gonna see that’s

everything that we’re gonna see that’s extraordinary or interesting or

extraordinary or interesting or

extraordinary or interesting or fantastic about male birds of paradise

fantastic about male birds of paradise

fantastic about male birds of paradise is solely the results of the selection

is solely the results of the selection

is solely the results of the selection pressures of female birds of paradise

pressures of female birds of paradise

pressures of female birds of paradise for their for their mates that they

for their for their mates that they

for their for their mates that they choose in context very much like this

choose in context very much like this

choose in context very much like this probably most of you are familiar with

probably most of you are familiar with

probably most of you are familiar with natural selection and that the concept

natural selection and that the concept

natural selection and that the concept that individuals vary and traits that

that individuals vary and traits that

that individuals vary and traits that better enable them to survive depending

better enable them to survive depending

better enable them to survive depending on their environment sometimes we think

on their environment sometimes we think

on their environment sometimes we think of this as survival of the of the

of this as survival of the of the

of this as survival of the of the fittest

fittest

fittest well sexual selection is a

well sexual selection is a

well sexual selection is a very similar process but yet it’s very

very similar process but yet it’s very

very similar process but yet it’s very distinct and instead of being about

distinct and instead of being about

distinct and instead of being about individuals that vary in ways that allow

individuals that vary in ways that allow

individuals that vary in ways that allow them to survive better this is about

them to survive better this is about

them to survive better this is about individuals that vary in ways that that

individuals that vary in ways that that

individuals that vary in ways that that make them more attractive to the

make them more attractive to the

make them more attractive to the opposite sex in this case the males and

opposite sex in this case the males and

opposite sex in this case the males and allow them to make more more frequently

allow them to make more more frequently

allow them to make more more frequently and we might think of this as survival

and we might think of this as survival

and we might think of this as survival of the sexiest as one thing so this this

of the sexiest as one thing so this this

of the sexiest as one thing so this this section we are calling 39 ways to woo

section we are calling 39 ways to woo

section we are calling 39 ways to woo your lover and we’re not going to show

your lover and we’re not going to show

your lover and we’re not going to show you examples of how all 39 of them do it

you examples of how all 39 of them do it

you examples of how all 39 of them do it but it’s going to be a survey of some of

but it’s going to be a survey of some of

but it’s going to be a survey of some of the great examples of extreme evolution

the great examples of extreme evolution

the great examples of extreme evolution one of the birds-of-paradise that I most

one of the birds-of-paradise that I most

one of the birds-of-paradise that I most wanted to see when I first started this

wanted to see when I first started this

wanted to see when I first started this project was the this one the Wilsons

project was the this one the Wilsons

project was the this one the Wilsons bird of paradise it’s one of the species

bird of paradise it’s one of the species

bird of paradise it’s one of the species that clears a court on the ground to

that clears a court on the ground to

that clears a court on the ground to keep the to make the area I guess where

keep the to make the area I guess where

keep the to make the area I guess where the females are gonna come and watch

the females are gonna come and watch

the females are gonna come and watch them you know more attractive and

them you know more attractive and

them you know more attractive and females do probably judge the males

females do probably judge the males

females do probably judge the males based on the quality of their court as

based on the quality of their court as

based on the quality of their court as well as their ornaments and and display

well as their ornaments and and display

well as their ornaments and and display so this male will come down every

so this male will come down every

so this male will come down every morning and clean this court if any

morning and clean this court if any

morning and clean this court if any leaves that have fallen overnight so

leaves that have fallen overnight so

leaves that have fallen overnight so this is the male King of Saxony bird of

this is the male King of Saxony bird of

this is the male King of Saxony bird of paradise these are incredible feathers

paradise these are incredible feathers

paradise these are incredible feathers and unlike any other feather that you

and unlike any other feather that you

and unlike any other feather that you would encounter in your everyday life

would encounter in your everyday life

would encounter in your everyday life there actually have this plastic like

there actually have this plastic like

there actually have this plastic like structure where the regular feather

structure where the regular feather

structure where the regular feather material has been infused but male King

material has been infused but male King

material has been infused but male King of Saxony birds of paradise but a lot of

of Saxony birds of paradise but a lot of

of Saxony birds of paradise but a lot of time on top of these snags or on top of

time on top of these snags or on top of

time on top of these snags or on top of a tree that overlooks their their

a tree that overlooks their their

a tree that overlooks their their territory and they they call they

territory and they they call they

territory and they they call they vocalize trying to attract a female in

vocalize trying to attract a female in

vocalize trying to attract a female in to where they have their courtship

to where they have their courtship

to where they have their courtship displays which is in the understory and

displays which is in the understory and

displays which is in the understory and when a female gets close a male will fly

when a female gets close a male will fly

when a female gets close a male will fly down from his perch where he’s surveying

down from his perch where he’s surveying

down from his perch where he’s surveying his domain and go into the understory

his domain and go into the understory

his domain and go into the understory will he’ll do a his courtship display on

will he’ll do a his courtship display on

will he’ll do a his courtship display on a vine which is really difficult to find

a vine which is really difficult to find

a vine which is really difficult to find in this you know forest of vines so

in this you know forest of vines so

in this you know forest of vines so let’s take a look at that

we did an idea of what he does with

we did an idea of what he does with those extreme feathers

now to put this into perspective if a

now to put this into perspective if a male King of Saxony was a human you know

male King of Saxony was a human you know

male King of Saxony was a human you know say a man about my size those feathers

say a man about my size those feathers

say a man about my size those feathers would be like having 10 or 12 foot poles

would be like having 10 or 12 foot poles

would be like having 10 or 12 foot poles or rods sticking out of the size of your

or rods sticking out of the size of your

or rods sticking out of the size of your head and able to move them around in all

head and able to move them around in all

head and able to move them around in all directions with nothing more than

directions with nothing more than

directions with nothing more than something equivalent to the muscles that

something equivalent to the muscles that

something equivalent to the muscles that we use the wiggle our eyebrows with so

we use the wiggle our eyebrows with so

we use the wiggle our eyebrows with so that alone is as an extreme feat of this

that alone is as an extreme feat of this

that alone is as an extreme feat of this species so most of the birds that we’ve

species so most of the birds that we’ve

species so most of the birds that we’ve showed you so far

showed you so far

showed you so far you know attract mates by their amazing

you know attract mates by their amazing

you know attract mates by their amazing colors their displays that are focusing

colors their displays that are focusing

colors their displays that are focusing around we call sort of color shakers the

around we call sort of color shakers the

around we call sort of color shakers the color flashers but there’s a whole group

color flashers but there’s a whole group

color flashers but there’s a whole group of species that are not that colorful

of species that are not that colorful

of species that are not that colorful but they specialize in transforming

but they specialize in transforming

but they specialize in transforming themselves into incredible shapes and

themselves into incredible shapes and

themselves into incredible shapes and this black sickle bill is one example

this black sickle bill is one example

this black sickle bill is one example and take a look what he does here he is

and take a look what he does here he is

and take a look what he does here he is on his perch and he’s got a special set

on his perch and he’s got a special set

on his perch and he’s got a special set of feathers that he’s armed up around

of feathers that he’s armed up around

of feathers that he’s armed up around his head and the females just arrived

his head and the females just arrived

his head and the females just arrived and is giving him a close looking over

and is giving him a close looking over

and is giving him a close looking over this is in the Foggia mountains in Papua

this is in the Foggia mountains in Papua

this is in the Foggia mountains in Papua and this is actually one of the most

and this is actually one of the most

and this is actually one of the most exciting videos that I shot during the

exciting videos that I shot during the

exciting videos that I shot during the whole project as I knew that nobody ever

whole project as I knew that nobody ever

whole project as I knew that nobody ever seen a female visit to this display to

seen a female visit to this display to

seen a female visit to this display to this male and so although the there was

this male and so although the there was

this male and so although the there was known that he did this display like that

known that he did this display like that

known that he did this display like that exactly the female actually came and

exactly the female actually came and

exactly the female actually came and flew right up to the perch and looked

flew right up to the perch and looked

flew right up to the perch and looked him over from such a close range that

him over from such a close range that

him over from such a close range that was completely a new observation here

was completely a new observation here

was completely a new observation here you can see a sequence of stills that I

you can see a sequence of stills that I

you can see a sequence of stills that I made of the same bird on another day

made of the same bird on another day

made of the same bird on another day where you can see these feathers which

where you can see these feathers which

where you can see these feathers which are not winged his wings his wings were

are not winged his wings his wings were

are not winged his wings his wings were actually kind of close over his back

actually kind of close over his back

actually kind of close over his back there these feathers are special

there these feathers are special

there these feathers are special shoulder or upper breast feathers we

shoulder or upper breast feathers we

shoulder or upper breast feathers we call them epaulets but he can raise them

call them epaulets but he can raise them

call them epaulets but he can raise them up around his face and completely make

up around his face and completely make

up around his face and completely make this sort of old void shape over his

this sort of old void shape over his

this sort of old void shape over his head to create this really unburdens to

head to create this really unburdens to

head to create this really unburdens to be the main factor that’s their unique

be the main factor that’s their unique

be the main factor that’s their unique display so another one of these

display so another one of these

display so another one of these incredible shape-shifting birds of

incredible shape-shifting birds of

incredible shape-shifting birds of paradise that transform from something

paradise that transform from something

paradise that transform from something bird-like into something otherworldly is

bird-like into something otherworldly is

bird-like into something otherworldly is is this fellow here this is the male

is this fellow here this is the male

is this fellow here this is the male superb bird-of-paradise he has this

superb bird-of-paradise he has this

superb bird-of-paradise he has this incredible iridescent brush shield is

incredible iridescent brush shield is

incredible iridescent brush shield is sort of shaped like a

sort of shaped like a

sort of shaped like a there are kind of like the wings on a

there are kind of like the wings on a

there are kind of like the wings on a pilot but much more glorified but it’s

pilot but much more glorified but it’s

pilot but much more glorified but it’s what he does in his moment of

what he does in his moment of

what he does in his moment of transformation during courtship display

transformation during courtship display

transformation during courtship display that is really incredible here he is on

that is really incredible here he is on

that is really incredible here he is on his log they like to display up fallen

his log they like to display up fallen

his log they like to display up fallen logs in the forest he sees a female up

logs in the forest he sees a female up

logs in the forest he sees a female up above and he’s showing her his brush

above and he’s showing her his brush

above and he’s showing her his brush shield and then there he transforms into

shield and then there he transforms into

shield and then there he transforms into something that doesn’t look at all like

something that doesn’t look at all like

something that doesn’t look at all like a bird in fact some people have looked

a bird in fact some people have looked

a bird in fact some people have looked at this and commented after the fact

at this and commented after the fact

at this and commented after the fact that it looks like a psychedelic smiley

that it looks like a psychedelic smiley

that it looks like a psychedelic smiley face or a UFO or a space alien so he’s

face or a UFO or a space alien so he’s

face or a UFO or a space alien so he’s creating this incredible optical

creating this incredible optical

creating this incredible optical illusion essentially is what it is those

illusion essentially is what it is those

illusion essentially is what it is those aren’t his eyes that look like the eyes

aren’t his eyes that look like the eyes

aren’t his eyes that look like the eyes on the smiley face there that’s actually

on the smiley face there that’s actually

on the smiley face there that’s actually the feathers on top of his head that

the feathers on top of his head that

the feathers on top of his head that he’s created this remarkable shape by

he’s created this remarkable shape by

he’s created this remarkable shape by lifting his bill up and pushing those

lifting his bill up and pushing those

lifting his bill up and pushing those feathers forward this is a superb

feathers forward this is a superb

feathers forward this is a superb bird-of-paradise

bird-of-paradise

bird-of-paradise so here this is a really neat shot

so here this is a really neat shot

so here this is a really neat shot because you can actually see the

because you can actually see the

because you can actually see the obscenely behind-the-scenes what the

obscenely behind-the-scenes what the

obscenely behind-the-scenes what the females never get to see all those

females never get to see all those

females never get to see all those feathers spread around behind and you

feathers spread around behind and you

feathers spread around behind and you can see his wings there I don’t know if

can see his wings there I don’t know if

can see his wings there I don’t know if you noticed that snapping sound but

you noticed that snapping sound but

you noticed that snapping sound but that’s a non vocal sound that the male

that’s a non vocal sound that the male

that’s a non vocal sound that the male is making by snapping his wings of some

is making by snapping his wings of some

is making by snapping his wings of some interaction with his tail look how hard

interaction with his tail look how hard

interaction with his tail look how hard he’s breathing he’s working hard to be

he’s breathing he’s working hard to be

he’s breathing he’s working hard to be able to maintain this posture this whole

able to maintain this posture this whole

able to maintain this posture this whole time while doing this performance

time while doing this performance

time while doing this performance alright so this brings us to part 2

alright so this brings us to part 2

alright so this brings us to part 2 bizarre behavior this is the male

bizarre behavior this is the male

bizarre behavior this is the male Wanda’s parodia this is the group that I

Wanda’s parodia this is the group that I

Wanda’s parodia this is the group that I actually have studied the most

actually have studied the most

actually have studied the most throughout my research career all of the

throughout my research career all of the

throughout my research career all of the members of this genus all the males they

members of this genus all the males they

members of this genus all the males they have this incredibly iridescent patch of

have this incredibly iridescent patch of

have this incredibly iridescent patch of breast feathers here and they all have

breast feathers here and they all have

breast feathers here and they all have these six elongated wires that come out

these six elongated wires that come out

these six elongated wires that come out from behind each I three up behind each

from behind each I three up behind each

from behind each I three up behind each eye with little spatula

eye with little spatula

eye with little spatula paddle tips kind of like the King of

paddle tips kind of like the King of

paddle tips kind of like the King of Saxony but not quite as extreme but

Saxony but not quite as extreme but

Saxony but not quite as extreme but pretty pretty unique this one is the

pretty pretty unique this one is the

pretty pretty unique this one is the long-tailed member of the of the genus

long-tailed member of the of the genus

long-tailed member of the of the genus and so something that’s important to

and so something that’s important to

and so something that’s important to know about all of the Perot Diaz but but

know about all of the Perot Diaz but but

know about all of the Perot Diaz but but this one here in particular is that the

this one here in particular is that the

this one here in particular is that the males all build and and maintain a real

males all build and and maintain a real

males all build and and maintain a real display area that we call a court so in

display area that we call a court so in

display area that we call a court so in a patch of forest they find the right

a patch of forest they find the right

a patch of forest they find the right spot they remove all the leaf litter

spot they remove all the leaf litter

spot they remove all the leaf litter they may move away all the small growth

they may move away all the small growth

they may move away all the small growth and there’s something important that all

and there’s something important that all

and there’s something important that all of them have is this horizontal perch

of them have is this horizontal perch

of them have is this horizontal perch that spans the cleared area there

that spans the cleared area there

that spans the cleared area there that’s the prerequisite for making a

that’s the prerequisite for making a

that’s the prerequisite for making a good place to build a court for a male

good place to build a court for a male

good place to build a court for a male parodia and so for all the years

parodia and so for all the years

parodia and so for all the years studying Herodias this is what we’ve

studying Herodias this is what we’ve

studying Herodias this is what we’ve we’ve done and this is Tim here working

we’ve done and this is Tim here working

we’ve done and this is Tim here working on a blind next to where a court would

on a blind next to where a court would

on a blind next to where a court would be kind of out there in the audience so

be kind of out there in the audience so

be kind of out there in the audience so you’d go out into the forest with your

you’d go out into the forest with your

you’d go out into the forest with your local assistants start getting blind

local assistants start getting blind

local assistants start getting blind materials put stakes and in the ground

materials put stakes and in the ground

materials put stakes and in the ground and start tying it together using

and start tying it together using

and start tying it together using natural those guys are fast don’t they

natural those guys are fast don’t they

natural those guys are fast don’t they yeah and but importantly the way we

yeah and but importantly the way we

yeah and but importantly the way we observe them is from the ground so we’re

observe them is from the ground so we’re

observe them is from the ground so we’re looking at out the court you know not

looking at out the court you know not

looking at out the court you know not very far away maybe just you know eight

very far away maybe just you know eight

very far away maybe just you know eight or ten feet away from where Tim’s face

or ten feet away from where Tim’s face

or ten feet away from where Tim’s face would be right there where the where the

would be right there where the where the

would be right there where the where the lens would normally go and this was a

lens would normally go and this was a

lens would normally go and this was a this was you know really important I

this was you know really important I

this was you know really important I chose to study this genus because they

chose to study this genus because they

chose to study this genus because they were very accessible they display on the

were very accessible they display on the

were very accessible they display on the ground and it seemed like a really great

ground and it seemed like a really great

ground and it seemed like a really great study and this is the view of the

study and this is the view of the

study and this is the view of the quintessential parodia courtship display

quintessential parodia courtship display

quintessential parodia courtship display we call this the ballerina dance and it

we call this the ballerina dance and it

we call this the ballerina dance and it looks like he might be wearing his skirt

looks like he might be wearing his skirt

looks like he might be wearing his skirt or a ballerinas tutu there and he dances

or a ballerinas tutu there and he dances

or a ballerinas tutu there and he dances around on the ground on that court it’s

around on the ground on that court it’s

around on the ground on that court it’s like his stage and those aren’t his

like his stage and those aren’t his

like his stage and those aren’t his wings those are specially modified

wings those are specially modified

wings those are specially modified feathers of his breasts and flanks and

feathers of his breasts and flanks and

feathers of his breasts and flanks and he’s wrapped around his body and covered

he’s wrapped around his body and covered

he’s wrapped around his body and covered his wings very much like those other

his wings very much like those other

his wings very much like those other transformer birds-of-paradise but the

transformer birds-of-paradise but the

transformer birds-of-paradise but the important thing here is where is the

important thing here is where is the

important thing here is where is the female and what is she seeing

female and what is she seeing

female and what is she seeing well the females perch on this

well the females perch on this

well the females perch on this horizontal branch above and so the

horizontal branch above and so the

horizontal branch above and so the question here for this bizarre behavior

question here for this bizarre behavior

question here for this bizarre behavior story is what is it like to see this

story is what is it like to see this

story is what is it like to see this display from the female’s perspective

display from the female’s perspective

display from the female’s perspective and this is something that we have been

and this is something that we have been

and this is something that we have been interested in from the very beginning of

interested in from the very beginning of

interested in from the very beginning of our work together and Tim was interested

our work together and Tim was interested

our work together and Tim was interested in from the very beginnings of the

in from the very beginnings of the

in from the very beginnings of the photographic effort yeah I had a couple

photographic effort yeah I had a couple

photographic effort yeah I had a couple of earlier attempts on previous trips to

of earlier attempts on previous trips to

of earlier attempts on previous trips to get a camera above and look down on the

get a camera above and look down on the

get a camera above and look down on the protea but it never really worked out

protea but it never really worked out

protea but it never really worked out for various technical reasons and and

for various technical reasons and and

for various technical reasons and and but finally on this last this trip here

but finally on this last this trip here

but finally on this last this trip here that we’re telling you about we really

that we’re telling you about we really

that we’re telling you about we really went all out

went all out

went all out full-on effort to get this angle from

full-on effort to get this angle from

full-on effort to get this angle from above so what I did was I set up three

above so what I did was I set up three

above so what I did was I set up three cameras one was right in the blind

cameras one was right in the blind

cameras one was right in the blind looking at from the front kind of a

looking at from the front kind of a

looking at from the front kind of a traditional view I set up another camera

traditional view I set up another camera

traditional view I set up another camera on this side called camera B over here

on this side called camera B over here

on this side called camera B over here that kind of looked across and got the

that kind of looked across and got the

that kind of looked across and got the whole scene of the court

whole scene of the court

whole scene of the court but then the key one cameras see

but then the key one cameras see

but then the key one cameras see required climbing up on the side of the

required climbing up on the side of the

required climbing up on the side of the tree and attaching a very

tree and attaching a very

tree and attaching a very well-camouflaged camera looking down and

well-camouflaged camera looking down and

well-camouflaged camera looking down and some of the newer you know camera

some of the newer you know camera

some of the newer you know camera technologies that come up well available

technologies that come up well available

technologies that come up well available the last couple of years

the last couple of years

the last couple of years allowed us to see through these cameras

allowed us to see through these cameras

allowed us to see through these cameras and remotely control them with with

and remotely control them with with

and remotely control them with with computers and so here I am climbing up

computers and so here I am climbing up

computers and so here I am climbing up sort of the makeshift ladder that we put

sort of the makeshift ladder that we put

sort of the makeshift ladder that we put together out in the forest out of bamboo

together out in the forest out of bamboo

together out in the forest out of bamboo to attach a camera if they’re well

to attach a camera if they’re well

to attach a camera if they’re well camouflaged and even more so after we

camouflaged and even more so after we

camouflaged and even more so after we wrapped it with with leaves to look down

wrapped it with with leaves to look down

wrapped it with with leaves to look down and get the view from above meanwhile we

and get the view from above meanwhile we

and get the view from above meanwhile we ran the the cables from those two

ran the the cables from those two

ran the the cables from those two cameras outside back to this cozy little

cameras outside back to this cozy little

cameras outside back to this cozy little blind where edy was able to control them

blind where edy was able to control them

blind where edy was able to control them from this laptop and I and they’re

from this laptop and I and they’re

from this laptop and I and they’re shooting from the other camera where the

shooting from the other camera where the

shooting from the other camera where the big ones get that front view

big ones get that front view

big ones get that front view so this is just a really good example of

so this is just a really good example of

so this is just a really good example of why you have to like who you’re working

why you have to like who you’re working

why you have to like who you’re working with on an eight-year project like this

with on an eight-year project like this

with on an eight-year project like this we don’t usually work in the same blind

we don’t usually work in the same blind

we don’t usually work in the same blind together that whole area of the blind is

together that whole area of the blind is

together that whole area of the blind is about a little bit bigger than the whole

about a little bit bigger than the whole

about a little bit bigger than the whole front of this podium here first we’re

front of this podium here first we’re

front of this podium here first we’re gonna look at that wide view again and

gonna look at that wide view again and

gonna look at that wide view again and actually see the ballerina dance of the

actually see the ballerina dance of the

actually see the ballerina dance of the wands is parodia now he does his bow he

wands is parodia now he does his bow he

wands is parodia now he does his bow he comes out he’s walking out there’s not a

comes out he’s walking out there’s not a

comes out he’s walking out there’s not a female there on this rendition he’s

female there on this rendition he’s

female there on this rendition he’s doing a practice display which these

doing a practice display which these

doing a practice display which these males do a lot again and again for the

males do a lot again and again for the

males do a lot again and again for the hopes of getting it right when the

hopes of getting it right when the

hopes of getting it right when the female is there but notice where he

female is there but notice where he

female is there but notice where he pauses he does this twitching and he’s

pauses he does this twitching and he’s

pauses he does this twitching and he’s waddling now if the female were there

waddling now if the female were there

waddling now if the female were there the question is is what would this

the question is is what would this

the question is is what would this really look like so here’s the the view

really look like so here’s the the view

really look like so here’s the the view from above looking down

and so of course we knew it was gonna

and so of course we knew it was gonna look different right you know it wasn’t

look different right you know it wasn’t

look different right you know it wasn’t too much of a stretch of the imagination

too much of a stretch of the imagination

too much of a stretch of the imagination to to think that it wasn’t gonna look

to to think that it wasn’t gonna look

to to think that it wasn’t gonna look the same as it looked like from the

the same as it looked like from the

the same as it looked like from the ground view that we had been you know

ground view that we had been you know

ground view that we had been you know looking at for so many years but I don’t

looking at for so many years but I don’t

looking at for so many years but I don’t think we were quite prepared for how

think we were quite prepared for how

think we were quite prepared for how different it would look even at this

different it would look even at this

different it would look even at this point so he comes out the females

point so he comes out the females

point so he comes out the females looking at him and it looks nothing at

looking at him and it looks nothing at

looking at him and it looks nothing at all like a ballerina dancer and in fact

all like a ballerina dancer and in fact

all like a ballerina dancer and in fact had we actually looked at this display

had we actually looked at this display

had we actually looked at this display from the perspective from what you had

from the perspective from what you had

from the perspective from what you had it evolved right and that’s the

it evolved right and that’s the

it evolved right and that’s the perspective of the female who’s who’s

perspective of the female who’s who’s

perspective of the female who’s who’s the chooser here in this we probably

the chooser here in this we probably

the chooser here in this we probably would have called it the wobbling ovoid

would have called it the wobbling ovoid

would have called it the wobbling ovoid display or something like that not that

display or something like that not that

display or something like that not that ballerina dance display so let’s take

ballerina dance display so let’s take

ballerina dance display so let’s take the let’s take a look at this again

the let’s take a look at this again

the let’s take a look at this again because there’s something even more

because there’s something even more

because there’s something even more remarkable than just the shape of that

remarkable than just the shape of that

remarkable than just the shape of that male from above

here’s two cameras that are synched

here’s two cameras that are synched there’s the wide one on your right and

there’s the wide one on your right and

there’s the wide one on your right and the females view on the left there’s

the females view on the left there’s

the females view on the left there’s better light here but no female there

better light here but no female there

better light here but no female there but the question is is what’s gonna

but the question is is what’s gonna

but the question is is what’s gonna happen when he does that head waggling

happen when he does that head waggling

happen when he does that head waggling thing so this is incredible flash of

thing so this is incredible flash of

thing so this is incredible flash of these iridescent feathers on his on his

these iridescent feathers on his on his

these iridescent feathers on his on his breast shield and then what he does is

breast shield and then what he does is

breast shield and then what he does is he plunges his head down like this and

he plunges his head down like this and

he plunges his head down like this and his breast goes up and it’s very

his breast goes up and it’s very

his breast goes up and it’s very perfectly situated to reflect this

perfectly situated to reflect this

perfectly situated to reflect this incredible yellow color directly up to

incredible yellow color directly up to

incredible yellow color directly up to where the female would be sitting on

where the female would be sitting on

where the female would be sitting on that perch there when you’re looking at

that perch there when you’re looking at

that perch there when you’re looking at those feathering from the the front

those feathering from the the front

those feathering from the the front inside they’re actually are blue or

inside they’re actually are blue or

inside they’re actually are blue or green and it’s only when you look at

green and it’s only when you look at

green and it’s only when you look at them directly head-on with the light

them directly head-on with the light

them directly head-on with the light behind you that you see this incredible

behind you that you see this incredible

behind you that you see this incredible yellow color so these feathers are

yellow color so these feathers are

yellow color so these feathers are iridescent and that they show to

iridescent and that they show to

iridescent and that they show to different colors depending on which

different colors depending on which

different colors depending on which direction you’re looking at them and

direction you’re looking at them and

direction you’re looking at them and this yellow color seems to have evolved

this yellow color seems to have evolved

this yellow color seems to have evolved specifically to signal to the female

specifically to signal to the female

specifically to signal to the female above but yet there’s something even

above but yet there’s something even

above but yet there’s something even more interesting here that was a bigger

more interesting here that was a bigger

more interesting here that was a bigger shock to us and I don’t know if you

shock to us and I don’t know if you

shock to us and I don’t know if you noticed and that one there but there’s

noticed and that one there but there’s

noticed and that one there but there’s also something going on in the back of

also something going on in the back of

also something going on in the back of his head well all male Perot Diaz have

his head well all male Perot Diaz have

his head well all male Perot Diaz have this intensely iridescent feather on the

this intensely iridescent feather on the

this intensely iridescent feather on the patch on the back of their heads that we

patch on the back of their heads that we

patch on the back of their heads that we had never seen them use and display

had never seen them use and display

had never seen them use and display before we really had no idea what it was

before we really had no idea what it was

before we really had no idea what it was for well it turns out when he plunges

for well it turns out when he plunges

for well it turns out when he plunges his head down and that breast shield

his head down and that breast shield

his head down and that breast shield goes up at the same time

goes up at the same time

goes up at the same time this basically reflector on the back of

this basically reflector on the back of

this basically reflector on the back of his head pops out and he uses it to

his head pops out and he uses it to

his head pops out and he uses it to basically trace the waggle emotion of

basically trace the waggle emotion of

basically trace the waggle emotion of his heads that the female can see what’s

his heads that the female can see what’s

his heads that the female can see what’s going on because he’s so black she

going on because he’s so black she

going on because he’s so black she otherwise wouldn’t be able to see that

otherwise wouldn’t be able to see that

otherwise wouldn’t be able to see that incredible move

incredible move

incredible move that we see from the front that we call

that we see from the front that we call

that we see from the front that we call the head waggle so that was a completely

the head waggle so that was a completely

the head waggle so that was a completely new discovery to us and we were thrilled

new discovery to us and we were thrilled

new discovery to us and we were thrilled to have gone through all the effort to

to have gone through all the effort to

to have gone through all the effort to see the female perspective and actually

see the female perspective and actually

see the female perspective and actually made a new discovery not just seen it

made a new discovery not just seen it

made a new discovery not just seen it and it just goes to show while some of

and it just goes to show while some of

and it just goes to show while some of the scientific roots of this of this

the scientific roots of this of this

the scientific roots of this of this project and how we’re discovering things

project and how we’re discovering things

project and how we’re discovering things in the field in addition to just

in the field in addition to just

in the field in addition to just documenting it which brings us to part

documenting it which brings us to part

documenting it which brings us to part three and this is extraordinary beauty

three and this is extraordinary beauty

three and this is extraordinary beauty core says as you can understand we

core says as you can understand we

core says as you can understand we didn’t just find this place totally on

didn’t just find this place totally on

didn’t just find this place totally on our own we had contact with the local

our own we had contact with the local

our own we had contact with the local villagers there and had permission to

villagers there and had permission to

villagers there and had permission to work on their land and they acted as our

work on their land and they acted as our

work on their land and they acted as our guides and took us into the forest and

guides and took us into the forest and

guides and took us into the forest and it was really interesting experience

it was really interesting experience

it was really interesting experience because this is an area where they’ve

because this is an area where they’ve

because this is an area where they’ve been hunting birds of paradise for

been hunting birds of paradise for

been hunting birds of paradise for hundreds maybe thousands of years and

hundreds maybe thousands of years and

hundreds maybe thousands of years and these men were all experienced hunters

these men were all experienced hunters

these men were all experienced hunters and but they had decided to set aside

and but they had decided to set aside

and but they had decided to set aside this section of their forests or their

this section of their forests or their

this section of their forests or their land and pretend stop hunting the birds

land and pretend stop hunting the birds

land and pretend stop hunting the birds here you know in the hopes that maybe

here you know in the hopes that maybe

here you know in the hopes that maybe some visitors would come to see them and

some visitors would come to see them and

some visitors would come to see them and they could make a little money that way

they could make a little money that way

they could make a little money that way and we were happy to support that that

and we were happy to support that that

and we were happy to support that that idea in that effort and so these men

idea in that effort and so these men

idea in that effort and so these men this man you like Kerry and his clan

this man you like Kerry and his clan

this man you like Kerry and his clan members and helped me out and getting up

members and helped me out and getting up

members and helped me out and getting up into the canopy and and getting where I

into the canopy and and getting where I

into the canopy and and getting where I could see these birds I saw as soon as I

could see these birds I saw as soon as I

could see these birds I saw as soon as I got there I realized that I wasn’t gonna

got there I realized that I wasn’t gonna

got there I realized that I wasn’t gonna be able to photograph them from the

be able to photograph them from the

be able to photograph them from the ground they were displaying up high and

ground they were displaying up high and

ground they were displaying up high and I explained to you I said well I’ve got

I explained to you I said well I’ve got

I explained to you I said well I’ve got my ropes and I’ve got my bow and arrow

my ropes and I’ve got my bow and arrow

my ropes and I’ve got my bow and arrow I’ll shoot a lineup and I’ll climb up

I’ll shoot a lineup and I’ll climb up

I’ll shoot a lineup and I’ll climb up there and build a blind and they said

there and build a blind and they said

there and build a blind and they said well what are you gonna build a blind

well what are you gonna build a blind

well what are you gonna build a blind out of I said well I’ve got my

out of I said well I’ve got my

out of I said well I’ve got my camouflage cloth and stuff and you know

camouflage cloth and stuff and you know

camouflage cloth and stuff and you know that I do this quite a bit and they’re

that I do this quite a bit and they’re

that I do this quite a bit and they’re like no that that’s not going to work

like no that that’s not going to work

like no that that’s not going to work the birds won’t come if you do that so I

the birds won’t come if you do that so I

the birds won’t come if you do that so I said well okay what’s what are we doing

said well okay what’s what are we doing

said well okay what’s what are we doing you said well we have a certain way of

you said well we have a certain way of

you said well we have a certain way of building a blind and you have to follow

building a blind and you have to follow

building a blind and you have to follow that the protocol or the bruise don’t

that the protocol or the bruise don’t

that the protocol or the bruise don’t come they start explaining it to me that

come they start explaining it to me that

come they start explaining it to me that you have to get up there and and make

you have to get up there and and make

you have to get up there and and make the main-floor platform with two main

the main-floor platform with two main

the main-floor platform with two main support poles and then you’re only

support poles and then you’re only

support poles and then you’re only allowed to use 12 cross pieces for the

allowed to use 12 cross pieces for the

allowed to use 12 cross pieces for the floor and it all has to be tied together

floor and it all has to be tied together

floor and it all has to be tied together with vines and I said well you know I

with vines and I said well you know I

with vines and I said well you know I need to take quite a bit of equipment up

need to take quite a bit of equipment up

need to take quite a bit of equipment up there I need a tripod you know gets gear

there I need a tripod you know gets gear

there I need a tripod you know gets gear can I have a little bit wider floor and

can I have a little bit wider floor and

can I have a little bit wider floor and they said no if you have more than 12

they said no if you have more than 12

they said no if you have more than 12 poles the birds won’t come so I said

poles the birds won’t come so I said

poles the birds won’t come so I said well can’t we put some men we space the

well can’t we put some men we space the

well can’t we put some men we space the boards a little bit and maybe have make

boards a little bit and maybe have make

boards a little bit and maybe have make a little wider and have all some space

a little wider and have all some space

a little wider and have all some space in the floor and they said yeah that’s

in the floor and they said yeah that’s

in the floor and they said yeah that’s okay see that’s why you see there’s a

okay see that’s why you see there’s a

okay see that’s why you see there’s a little few holes in the floor there so

little few holes in the floor there so

little few holes in the floor there so but anyway these guys were amazing they

but anyway these guys were amazing they

but anyway these guys were amazing they free climbed up into the tree using a

free climbed up into the tree using a

free climbed up into the tree using a technique that I wouldn’t dare try they

technique that I wouldn’t dare try they

technique that I wouldn’t dare try they climbed up smaller trees and then bent

climbed up smaller trees and then bent

climbed up smaller trees and then bent them over toward the using a strap that

them over toward the using a strap that

them over toward the using a strap that they threw around the bigger tree and

they threw around the bigger tree and

they threw around the bigger tree and bent them to get toward each other and

bent them to get toward each other and

bent them to get toward each other and then climbed over into the bigger tree

then climbed over into the bigger tree

then climbed over into the bigger tree then they climbed up and they did that

then they climbed up and they did that

then they climbed up and they did that again and they’ve got about you know in

again and they’ve got about you know in

again and they’ve got about you know in your hundred feet up where we were and

your hundred feet up where we were and

your hundred feet up where we were and helped me build this this beautiful

helped me build this this beautiful

helped me build this this beautiful blind where I was able to spend several

blind where I was able to spend several

blind where I was able to spend several days filming these birds at their

days filming these birds at their

days filming these birds at their display like this so this is what we

display like this so this is what we

display like this so this is what we call a laugher it’s a communal breeding

call a laugher it’s a communal breeding

call a laugher it’s a communal breeding site with more than one male was a great

site with more than one male was a great

site with more than one male was a great herb with a paradise gather check them

herb with a paradise gather check them

herb with a paradise gather check them out notice that these notice that these

out notice that these notice that these

out notice that these notice that these birds have a they have a phase in their

birds have a they have a phase in their

birds have a they have a phase in their display where they kind of you know

display where they kind of you know

display where they kind of you know freeze and pose what the females have a

freeze and pose what the females have a

freeze and pose what the females have a really good look at them and again here

really good look at them and again here

really good look at them and again here you can see a still image from that type

you can see a still image from that type

you can see a still image from that type of a moment called the flower pose where

of a moment called the flower pose where

of a moment called the flower pose where the male is just freezing and pulling

the male is just freezing and pulling

the male is just freezing and pulling their pose letting the females give them

their pose letting the females give them

their pose letting the females give them a really close looking over and so you

a really close looking over and so you

a really close looking over and so you know I spent several mornings and some

know I spent several mornings and some

know I spent several mornings and some afternoons in this blind and I was

afternoons in this blind and I was

afternoons in this blind and I was getting the drive to see that beauty to

getting the drive to see that beauty to

getting the drive to see that beauty to capture that beauty and so that was

capture that beauty and so that was

capture that beauty and so that was always was one of my you know motivating

always was one of my you know motivating

always was one of my you know motivating ideas is to try to capture this this

ideas is to try to capture this this

ideas is to try to capture this this beauty in the wild and I and I had in my

beauty in the wild and I and I had in my

beauty in the wild and I and I had in my mind a sort of a dream shot of a bird of

mind a sort of a dream shot of a bird of

mind a sort of a dream shot of a bird of paradise with a with a you know

paradise with a with a you know

paradise with a with a you know beautiful view over all over the canopy

beautiful view over all over the canopy

beautiful view over all over the canopy in the background and I realized after

in the background and I realized after

in the background and I realized after being in spending several days shooting

being in spending several days shooting

being in spending several days shooting these birds from my blind and the other

these birds from my blind and the other

these birds from my blind and the other tree nearby that hey maybe I could

tree nearby that hey maybe I could

tree nearby that hey maybe I could actually get a get a camera up in the

actually get a get a camera up in the

actually get a get a camera up in the tree where they were actually displaying

tree where they were actually displaying

tree where they were actually displaying and this might be the place where I

and this might be the place where I

and this might be the place where I could I could actually you know go after

could I could actually you know go after

could I could actually you know go after that so here I am I decided to climb up

that so here I am I decided to climb up

that so here I am I decided to climb up when the birds weren’t there

when the birds weren’t there

when the birds weren’t there the day I decided to climb up into the

the day I decided to climb up into the

the day I decided to climb up into the tree that they had been displaying in

tree that they had been displaying in

tree that they had been displaying in I’ve got a little camera you know on my

I’ve got a little camera you know on my

I’ve got a little camera you know on my head that’s recording this no no here’s

head that’s recording this no no here’s

head that’s recording this no no here’s the lek right here see these branches

the lek right here see these branches

the lek right here see these branches right here this is the main display

right here this is the main display

right here this is the main display perch and the second day perch there and

perch and the second day perch there and

perch and the second day perch there and there’s my blind over there I’ve been

there’s my blind over there I’ve been

there’s my blind over there I’ve been shooting from and right here right there

shooting from and right here right there

shooting from and right here right there is the so-called leaf cam this setup

is the so-called leaf cam this setup

is the so-called leaf cam this setup allowed me to get the camera close to

allowed me to get the camera close to

allowed me to get the camera close to the birds where I couldn’t possibly

the birds where I couldn’t possibly

the birds where I couldn’t possibly build a blind that have them tolerate my

build a blind that have them tolerate my

build a blind that have them tolerate my presidency that would be too disruptive

presidency that would be too disruptive

presidency that would be too disruptive so on one particular morning when I got

so on one particular morning when I got

so on one particular morning when I got this all working I was up there you know

this all working I was up there you know

this all working I was up there you know starting to get light and just as it’s

starting to get light and just as it’s

starting to get light and just as it’s starting to get a little bit light mail

starting to get a little bit light mail

starting to get a little bit light mail started arriving so I started recording

started arriving so I started recording

started arriving so I started recording video

some females are coming join a little

some females are coming join a little interest a couple minutes later actually

interest a couple minutes later actually

interest a couple minutes later actually with a female that was very interested

with a female that was very interested

with a female that was very interested and gave a signal that she wanted to go

and gave a signal that she wanted to go

and gave a signal that she wanted to go into the final sale displays the male’s

into the final sale displays the male’s

into the final sale displays the male’s doing this next tapping which is a very

doing this next tapping which is a very

doing this next tapping which is a very fun phase of the display that sound he’s

fun phase of the display that sound he’s

fun phase of the display that sound he’s giving that vocalization they only do

giving that vocalization they only do

giving that vocalization they only do that in this pre mating display the

that in this pre mating display the

that in this pre mating display the females there is ready to mate who will

females there is ready to mate who will

females there is ready to mate who will do that display and make that sound only

do that display and make that sound only

do that display and make that sound only in this context

so that’s what it’s all about if you’re

so that’s what it’s all about if you’re a greater bird of paradise male that’s

a greater bird of paradise male that’s

a greater bird of paradise male that’s that’s about as it good as it gets

that’s about as it good as it gets

that’s about as it good as it gets that’s the best way to start the day

yeah so he was having a good good

yeah so he was having a good good morning there and he he after this he

morning there and he he after this he

morning there and he he after this he just decided to kind of relax hang out

just decided to kind of relax hang out

just decided to kind of relax hang out up there on the ends of these branches

up there on the ends of these branches

up there on the ends of these branches and the Sun sort of popped over the

and the Sun sort of popped over the

and the Sun sort of popped over the horizon and I and I realized that before

horizon and I and I realized that before

horizon and I and I realized that before my eyes at this dream shot that I had

my eyes at this dream shot that I had

my eyes at this dream shot that I had had in my mind for so long I was was

had in my mind for so long I was was

had in my mind for so long I was was taking shape so I switched the camera

taking shape so I switched the camera

taking shape so I switched the camera over to stills and I clicked the shutter

over to stills and I clicked the shutter

over to stills and I clicked the shutter and that’s what I got thank you very

and that’s what I got thank you very

and that’s what I got thank you very much

much

much [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]