Secretive browed bird, whose existence was long denied (6 photos + 1 video)

In the cartoon "Angry Birds at the Movies" there was a funny and, in general, kind character, whose entire aura was spoiled by an external attribute - prominent eyebrows. The other birds teased the red one, calling it Brovyastik. Meanwhile, in reality such a bird also exists. And for the cartoon character it’s like walking to Africa.





We are talking about the scaly bird of paradise, which has long been considered a fiction. But the fame of the secretive inhabitant of New Guinea began to spread, and European monarchs wanted to see this miracle at court. Imagine their disappointment when they saw not something bright, flaming and colorful, but a small bird the size of a starling. The same gray and inconspicuous. True, the males were a little more noticeable - in a laconic black and yellow outfit. But the bird had one feature - very, very prominent eyebrows.



These eyebrows, or ribbons, or antennas, or ears were initially mistaken for a fake. Allegedly, the exotics delivery guy decided to stand out and earn more on the order. They tugged and pulled. But it turned out that the eyebrows actually grow from the bird and hold on tightly.

King of Saxony





Female

With the body length of the bird itself being 20 centimeters, the “antennas” grow 2.5 times larger. In the course of evolution, two special notches even formed on the skull of this secretive creature. They contain muscles that fix the “ribbons” consisting of scales in place.

The species was first described by scientist Adolf Bernhard Meyer in 1894. And he gave it the name in honor of the then ruler Albert of Saxony. For simplicity, the bird began to be called simply the King of Saxony.

Aggressive love



Actually, “eyebrows” are a typical manifestation of sexual dimorphism. With their help, males attract girlfriends, using the trivial and widespread principle “the longer, the cooler.”

But it doesn’t come to length right away. First, the gentleman proceeds to the first part of the Merleson ballet - the serenade. Well, like a serenade - the performance resembles a mixture of grinding, creaking and rustling. The sound ranges from the crack of a baby rattle to the screech of a chainsaw.



When the potential girlfriend pays attention to the singing, the gentleman proceeds to the second part - dancing. It inflates its feathers and moves its “eyebrows” until the enchanted female gets closer, thereby expressing consent to the act of love. After which the artist disappears in an unknown direction. Brovyastik has done his job and can leave.

And the modest mother equips a nest, lays only one egg and raises the chick. It is clear that mother does not raise such beauties for diapers. Therefore, the task of males is exclusively song, dance and love.



When birds of paradise came to Europe, refined ladies were impressed by the wonder and began to decorate their hats and hairstyles with the “eyebrows” of the poor thing. But, fortunately, fashion turned out to be fleeting. And now it is prohibited to hunt scaly birds of paradise.

The authorities make an exception only for locals who use feathers during ritual ceremonies. But a small amount of them is required; this does not harm the population. And the secretive, striking creatures continue to thrive and enjoy life.