Courting

• 1991 ----- color ----- 49 min ----- vhs
• (Trials of Life: A Natural History of Behavior series, Part 11) Visual splendor is hardly of value when it comes to raising a family, yet female birds often select their partners on this basis. Feathers provide the ideal means with which to create a dramatic and spectacular effect and many male birds exploit this to the fullest. But their are other ways to send a "come hither" message. Nightingales and right whales sing; hamsters and moose lay perfumed messages; and the male manakin gyrates and somersaults on the forest dance floor. Animals can even become a little crazy when looking for a mate. Topi antelope clash horns in bitter struggles and harlequin beetles hurl one another from trees.
• Topics: (Biology, Psychology: Bio-Behavioral, Zoology)