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The weird, spectacular breeding display of the male Long-tailed Widowbird

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The male Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne) is a prime example of extreme sexual selection. During the breeding season males moult into black plumage with orange and white shoulders, or epaulettes, and grow extremely long tails – up to half a metre (20 inches) long. Their long tails make flying difficult as males defend their territories in grassland, as well as probably making them more vulnerable to predators. This clip shows a male Long-tailed Widowbird performing his awkward display flight in the Rietvlei grassland, then chasing a female. He then perched on a nearby road sign, and displayed and called.

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