Superb Bird-of-Paradise: Psychedelic Smiley Face

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When you see a Superb Bird-of-Paradise displaying, it doesn't look like a bird at all. The change is so complete that females just see a jet-black disk with an electric-blue "smiley face" pattern. A close look at the transformation reveals how modified feathers on the head, back, and flank combine in an unexpected way to create a spectacular effect.

Filmed and photographed by Tim Laman and Ed Scholes.