Flight of Fancy High in the mountains, a black bird searches for fruit to eat. As it flies, two white tail feathers flutter behind it. Tey look like party streamers. Tese tail feathers stretch three times longer than the bird’s body. No other bird has longer tail feathers than


the ribbon-tailed astrapia. In other parts of the world, this bird might be easy prey. Here, though, the bird doesn’t have to worry that a predator will grab it by its long tail. Te ribbon-tailed bird is not the only odd


bird of paradise. Take the superb bird of paradise. At first glance, this bird doesn’t look like much. Suddenly, though, its neck feathers stick straight out. Ten, with a loud rustle, the bird flips some feathers over its head. Two patches of shiny turquoise feathers


appear. Tese two blue dots shine like beady eyes. More blue feathers form an oval. Tey look like a grinning mouth. It looks like this bird is wearing a mask. Te bird hops this way and that. It snaps its tail feathers together with a loud click, showing off its flashy feathers.


Dance Moves A king bird of paradise may have even fancier moves. Tis bright red bird flaps its wings and screams. Ten it f lips its two long tail feathers over its head. Each is topped by a swirl of green feathers. Tey look like lollipops. Te bird waves these tail feathers over its


head. Ten it digs its bright blue toes deep into a branch. Suddenly, it swings upside down. As it hangs head down, it stiffens its body and bobs back and forth.


This king bird of paradise waves his wings to show off.


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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


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