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Tap-dancing birds, shuffling spiders and wiggling bees; dancing is not only a human phenomenon. Many animal species display their movements for different reasons. By far the most common reason is to attract a partner. The dances (usually performed by the male) convey important information about the physical condition of the animal to the potential female. Some animals also use it as a means of communication. Unlike humans, very few animals dance to express their inner emotions (although there are exceptions). These 10 animals are some of the most adorable dancers in the entire animal kingdom. Their moves are particularly challenging and fun to watch.
The swift-footed blue gannet is arguably a master of an eccentric courtship ritual. Dressed in white plumage and brown wings with additional brown stripes around their heads, these large seabirds can be found throughout the eastern Pacific, from the coast of California to Peru; about half of all mating couples gather together around the Galapagos Islands.
To attract a partner, the male paces, raising first one leg, then the other. He then extends his wings outward and points his head at the sky: this maneuver is known as aiming at the sky. After the male has found a suitable mate, he will remain attached for life, hatching the next broods every year. However, this does not necessarily prevent them from engaging in dates with other partners from time to time.
No. 9. Peacock spiders
These little jumping spiders, about the size of a grain of rice, like to display their belongings in front of a potential mate. Much like the beautifying bird it is named after, the male peacock spider is covered in iridescent blue, yellow, and red markings on the upper abdomen, which it can lift above its head like a peacock’s tail.
When he meets a female spider, the male will flap his raised belly and two legs in the air and move his body from side to side. It also has the ability to create powerful vibration that the female can feel right through the ground. She prefers a smooth and consistent hum. If she is not impressed with what the male is offering, courtship may end prematurely in cannibalism when the female eats the male. This makes courtship dancing a dangerous and high-stakes affair. There are over 80 documented peacock spider species from all over the world, and most of them seem to engage in this strange and complex dance.
No. 8. Sea Horse
The seahorse (a type of ray-finned fish that is one of the dancing animals) has a long and complex courtship process marked by synchronized movements and physical changes. Every day at dawn, the seahorses come together, brighten their bodies, and begin to shiver. They will then braid their tails and swim in a circle for several hours. If successful, the courtship process will lead to fertilization.
It is curious that the seahorse is one of the few animals in which a male becomes pregnant. The female has a long tube through which she can lay eggs in the male’s pouch. He then bears offspring (up to several thousand) until after a three-week gestation period. There are about 46 types of seahorses, each with its own characteristics in this process.
No. 7. Birds of paradise
Found in the dense rainforest of the Asia-Pacific region (there are 46 species in the family), these beautiful birds of paradise come in a wide variety of exquisite colors and strange shapes. One of the most interesting courtship strategies (shared by many other birds in this article) is called leaking. It includes a concentrated group of males that showcase their best qualities so that the female can quickly determine who she wants to mate with.
However, not every bird of paradise creates lek. The Victoria Rifle Bird, which can win a prize for the most bizarre demonstration of courting, has a much more personal touch. Attracting a mate with his hoarse cry, the male throws back his head and strains his brightly colored feathers around his neck to highlight their strange beauty in the shining sunlight of the rainforest. He will then raise his massive wings so that women can see first one wing, then the other, jumping from side to side in an attempt to impress her.
Another species, called the six-feathered bird of paradise, adorned with six massive head feathers, is just as odd. The male will thoroughly clear the forest area to prepare for the performance. As soon as a woman appears, he will jump like a ballerina, with extended feathers around his neck, similar to a hood. If he succeeds, then the female mates with him, and then leaves to raise the chicks on her own.
No. 6. Manakins
The Manakin is a family of small songbirds of 54 unique species found in the American tropics. Males have exaggerated physical characteristics and vibrant colors that help them attract a mate. Similar to the previously mentioned birds of paradise, male manakins also create separate demonstration areas, called leks, where they can dance or even walk on a moonwalk so that the females can evaluate their movements and choose a suitable pair.
One of the most interesting behaviors comes from a club-winged manakin who can rub his feathers against each other, like a musical maestro, to make a violin sound like a cricket. If the female is impressed by these manifestations, she will join the male in a chaotic series of intense flights that excite her.
No. 5. Red crowned crane
A symbol of good luck, loyalty and longevity in some cultures, the red-crowned crane is a long-necked wading bird from East Asia. It is characterized by a white body, black neck and croup and, of course, a red crown on the head. Their elaborate courtship ritual includes a terrific duo to establish and strengthen their paired bond. The two birds will move together in rhythmic synchronization, spreading their wings and fluttering until they are close to each other. Then they throw their heads back and shout loudly in unison. This call may encourage other couples in the area to start their own dances as well. Although the cranes only mate once a year, this dance can take place at any time.
No. 4. Flamingo
Flamingos are a family of pink wading birds, whose massive colonies are a cacophony of hum and grunt. Currently, six types of living beings are distributed throughout the world. Before breeding, smaller groups of up to 50 birds are separated from the main colony. These flamingos will move with their necks extended and beaks pointing up.
Males also learn their own individual movements; they will flap their wings and bow their heads to impress their partner. There are more than 100 movements in total, which take many years to learn and master. This dance can mean important information about the physical condition of the flamingo, because the female, as a rule, chooses a pair for herself with the most difficult movements. Some flamingos will mate for life, but they often have multiple partners.
No. 3. Sharp-tailed grouse
Another of the animals that dance is the pointed-tailed grouse. These medium-sized prairie birds are native to western Canada and the United States. During the spring-summer mating season, up to 20 males gather together in currents at dawn and begin an intense show of courtship. A bit like mechanical clockwork toys, males will stomp their feet quickly up to 20 times per second, spinning in circles. At the same time, they will quickly inflate and deflate their purple neck pouches, which can help heighten the courting call and indicate overall health. The female will choose the most impressive and dominant males to mate.
No. 2. Toadstools
The grebe is a family of aquatic diving birds from America with a long neck and slender, pointed beak. They are also animals that dance. Both Clarke and western grebe, which belong to the same genus, have similar courtship behaviors, with the male and female running across the water surface together in perfect synchronization with outstretched wings and raised heads. Their movements look so precise and graceful that it’s hard to believe that a human ballerina could do it better.
# 1. Bees
Other animals that dance are worker bees. They are impressive dancers. Once back in the nest, they can tell the rest of the colony both the location and direction of the food source by simply shaking their belly accurately. It is believed that the orientation of the movement signals the position of the sun in relation to the food source, while the length of the dance tells the distance to the hive. Although almost all bees dance, each species has its own unique style.
Next: 8 Most Dangerous Birds in North America
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