Why is this animal unusual?
His transformation is total. The cape on his back flips forward and spreads into a half-circle, and a shield of shiny blue-green feathers on his chest forms the “mouth”. Two blue spots become “eyes”.
Why does it look like that?
The female is plain brown and barred. The male is velvet black – and that black is the secret of the whole show.
Strangest biological feature
Ultra-black feathers. They’re shaped to trap light and absorb up to 99.95% of it, which makes the blue parts beside them look as if they’re glowing.
Why is it strange?
Females are famously hard to please. A female will often watch a male’s whole performance – and then simply fly away.
Interesting behavioral facts
The male prepares a “dance floor” on a log and clears it of leaves. During the dance he snaps his tail feathers to make a clicking beat.
Records held
Among the blackest natural materials ever measured.
