With Valentine’s Day still on (some of) our minds, here’s a story about love in the animal kingdom. It’s the only known case – among all bird species on Earth – of two males co-operating for the affection of a female rather than competing.
Male long-tailed manakins in Costa Rica pair up to impress a prospective mate by performing an eloborate dance routine together. The senior male wins, but – after five years spent as a ‘wingman,’ the junior male takes on the alpha role.
There’s a link on the BBC’s site with video footage of the dance routine. Check it out – something light to make you smile for the day. And perhaps we can learn something from them…http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7891243.stm
Ethan
