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he Flight of the Bumblebee.
Kenya 2024

The demonstration flight of the Napoleon Weaver (Euplectes afer) resembles the flight of a bumblebee - the bird fluffs up all its feathers and buzzes loudly over its territory, attracting females and warding off males.

Typically, the male begins such a flight from a conspicuous spot at a high point, such as a stalk of tall grass or a bush, where it can be easily seen.

Then the performance begins:

The male fluffs up all its feathers, rises into the air with rapid wing flaps that produce a buzzing sound, making itself as noticeable as possible.

While in the air, the male performs a series of complex flight maneuvers: vertical ascent, zigzag flights, sharp turns, and dives, as well as hovering in place. These maneuvers are often accompanied by a series of sounds and songs.

The demonstration ends with the male returning to his spot, where, still fluffed up, he may continue to sing and display his plumage. This part of the ritual highlights the magnificence of his breeding colors.

The purpose of these demonstration flights is multifaceted. Primarily, they serve to attract female attention during the breeding season, signaling the male's health, agility, and genetic quality. Secondly, they assert the male's dominance over the territory, warning rivals to stay away from his spot. It is believed that females carefully evaluate these flights before choosing a mate, favoring males who display the most impressive and vigorous performances.

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