Page 47 - World of Animals - Issue #31
P. 47

SEEING














                                                                         RED

































                                                                         These crimson-coloured creatures
                                                                             might look like they’re steaming

                                                                              with fury, but there are actually
                                                                                  many other reasons for their

                                                                                       eye-catching appearance


                                                                                                              Words Simon Skellon




                                                                                            Finding a mate is easy
                                                                                            with elaborate headgear

                                                                                            Growing to be just 17.8 centimetres (seven
                                                                                            inches) long, the small Amazonian royal
                                                                                            flycatcher has a splendid plumage that goes
                                                                                            on display during the mating season. To
                                                                                            entice a female to join him, a male will fan
                                                                                            out his brilliant red crest of feathers tipped
                                                                                            with black and blue and sway his head
                                                                                            from side to side. Once settled with a mate,
                                                                                            the female will build a nest that is up to 1.8
                                                                                            metres (six feet) long, which she hangs from
                                                                                            branches close to water.


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       046-051_Red Gallery.indd   47                                                                                         02/03/2016   15:13
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