I've claimed all the young ladies here for myself

I heard people say that there is a kind of bird in the world that has no feet. It can only fly and fly forever, and when it is tired it sleeps in the wind. This kind of bird can only land on the ground once in its lifetime, and that time is when it dies.

-- Days of Being Wild

This classic line, paired with Leslie Cheung's voice and his unique performance, leaves an extremely deep impression that is hard to forget. And thefootless bird ⟧7⟧ mentioned in it, its real-life prototype is what we are going to introduce today, the, its prototype is what we are going to introduce todaygreater bird-of-paradiseParadisaea apoda。

A greater bird-of-paradise in flight. Image: Eka Novianto / Fivehundredpx

Where did the footless bird come from?

The greater bird-of-paradise belongs to the order Passeriformes, family Paradisaeidae, genus Paradisaea. It is a birdabout the same size as a magpie ⟧13⟧, living in the low-altitude mountain forests of the Aru Islands and the island of New Guinea. The great taxonomist Linnaeus named the greater bird-of-paradise, and the specific epithet apoda meansbird, living in the low-altitude mountain forests of the Aru Islands and the island of New Guinea. The great taxonomist Linnaeus named the greater bird-of-paradise, and the specific epithet apoda means"without feet" ⟧15⟧. But why did he give the greater bird-of-paradise. But why did he give the greater bird-of-paradisethe name "footless bird" ⟧17⟧? The story has to start with Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe.this appellation? The story has to start with Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe.

Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão de Magalhães). Image: wikipedia

On August 10, 1519, the ambitious Magellan led a fleet of 5 ships and about 270 men, setting out from Seville, Spain, attempting to completethe first ⟧21⟧circumnavigation of the globe ⟧22⟧ in human history. Over more than three years, the fleet endured harsh weather, crew mutinies and war, and Magellan unfortunately died in battle in the Philippines. The sole surviving ship of the fleet, the "Victoria," led by Juan Sebastián Elcano, successfully returned to Spain and brought back many precious items, among which werethe first circumnavigation of the globe. Lasting more than three years, the fleet experienced harsh weather, mutiny among the crew, and war, and Magellan himself unfortunately died in the war in the Philippines. The fleet's sole surviving ship, the "Victoria," under the leadership of Juan Sebastián Elcano, successfully returned to Spain and brought back many precious items, among which werespecimens of the greater bird-of-paradise。

Drawings of early bird-of-paradise specimens that reached Europe: the two on the left were drawn from greater bird-of-paradise specimens, the third from the left may be a subadult, the fourth from the left has an element of artistic exaggeration, the fifth is closer in morphology to the lesser bird-of-paradise, and the far right is a king bird-of-paradise. Image: John Johnston (1773)

These greater bird-of-paradise specimenswere just dried bird skins ⟧27⟧. Aside from the beak being able to prove they were birds, the specimens, and apart from the beak being able to prove that they were birds, the specimenshad no trace of wings or feet ⟧29⟧. The crew members who survived on the "Victoria" did not know the specific origin of these birds, and the indigenous people they traded with also did not know what the greater bird-of-paradise looked like when alive. In that era when legends of sea monsters and giants prevailed, the surviving sailors also fabricated a legend for these greater bird-of-paradise specimens -- these birdstraces. The crew members who survived on the "Victoria" did not know the specific origins of these birds, and the indigenous people who traded with them also did not understand what the greater bird-of-paradise looked like when alive. In that era when legends of sea monsters and giants were prevalent, the surviving sailors also fabricated a legend for these greater bird-of-paradise specimens - these birdsdid not need wings or feet ⟧31⟧, and normally soared in the sky beyond human sight, never needing to land to forage; when hungry or thirsty they would feed on dew, and only when they died would they fall to the ground and be discovered by humans., usually always soaring in the skies beyond human sight, not needing to descend to the ground to forage, and when hungry or thirsty they would suck on dew, only falling to the ground when they died, to be discovered by humans.

The greater bird-of-paradise without wings or feet as imagined by naturalists when alive; the fourth from the left in the previous image was colored based on it. Image: Ulisse Aldrovandi (1599)

These specimens were so stunning that people in Europe at the time believed they could onlylive in paradise ⟧35⟧, and therefore accepted the strange notion of the "footless bird." In the paintings of artists and naturalists of the time, the greater bird-of-paradise also existed in a form without legs or wings. At the same time, this claim was also introduced into various literary works., and therefore accepted the strange notion of the "footless bird." In the paintings of artists and naturalists of that time, the greater bird-of-paradise also existed in a form without legs or wings. At the same time, this claim was also introduced into various literary works.

The two birds circled in the sky on the right are greater birds-of-paradise. Image: Roelant Savery / Landscape with Birds by Roelant Savery (1628)

With the development of maritime activities, by the time of Linnaeus, a large number of greater bird-of-paradise specimens had flooded into Europe. Naturalists by then had already discovered that the greater bird-of-paradise did not lack wings and feet, but perhaps to pay tribute to this claim, or for some other reason, Linnaeus still gave the greater bird-of-paradise the name "Paradisaea apoda."

The diverse birds-of-paradise and their distribution areas. Image: Natural History Museum of Utah

Looking good is also for finding a mate

The greater bird-of-paradise is a typicalsexually dimorphic bird ⟧42⟧. The male's plumage is extremely gorgeous and flamboyant, with most of its body feathers a beautiful coffee color. The most stunning feature is, the male bird's plumage is extremely gorgeous and flamboyant, with most of the body's feathers being a beautiful coffee color, and the most stunning arethe cascade ⟧44⟧(the parts on both sides of the bird's body near the legs) ⟧45⟧-like ornamental ⟧46⟧plumes ⟧47⟧ growing from its flanks. The female's plumage is exceptionally dull and understated, and her body size is also smaller. So why is there such an obvious contrast between the female and the male?(the parts on both sides of the bird's body near the legs)the waterfall-likedecorative plumesthat grow out. The female bird's plumage is exceptionally dull and understated, and its body size is also somewhat smaller. So why is there such an obvious contrast between the female and male birds?

Greater bird-of-paradise, male on the left and female on the right. Image: Daniel Giraud Elliot / A monograph of the Paradiseidae or birds of paradise (1873)

Under the theoretical framework of natural selection, the male'sgorgeous ornamental plumes seem to be a burden ⟧51⟧, making them prone to attracting the attention of natural enemies, which is detrimental to their survival. So what exactly caused these gorgeous ornamental plumes to be retained? After seeing the courtship display scene of the greater bird-of-paradise, the naturalist Wallace (Alfred Russel Wallace) found the answer to this question., making them prone to attracting the attention of natural enemies, which is not conducive to their survival. So what exactly caused these gorgeous decorative plumes to be retained? After seeing the scene of the greater bird-of-paradise's courtship display, the naturalist Wallace (Alfred Russel Wallace) found the answer to this question.

Wallace during his expedition to the Malay Archipelago, with a king bird-of-paradise on the table. Image: English Heritage Photo Library

During his expedition to the Malay Archipelago, Wallace carefully observed the courtship display of the greater bird-of-paradise. Like the black grouse and the greater prairie-chicken, the greater bird-of-paradise also hasleks ⟧55⟧, except that its lek is not on the ground, but at the top of tall trees with an open view in the forest. A lek usually has about twenty males, and during the annual breeding season (generally from late October to February of the following year), these males gather here., except that its lek is not on the ground, but at the top of tall trees with an open view in the forest. A lek usually has about twenty male birds, and in each year's breeding season (generally from the end of October to February of the following year), these male birds gather here.

Once a female approaches, the males will try every possible way to fully display their charm, constantlycrying out songs with hoarse voices ⟧58⟧, lowering both wings,, and lowers both wings,erecting the ornamental plumes beneath their wings ⟧60⟧, forming a feather cascade on their backs. If the female is relatively interested in a certain male, she will approach to observe, and at this time the male will passionately begin his ballet performance, and while the female is admiring him rapturously, quickly jump onto the female's back and then fulfill his wish. After mating, the female leaves on her own to find a suitable place to build a nest and lay eggs, raising the offspring as, forming a feather waterfall on the back. If it is relatively interested in a certain male bird, the female bird will approach to observe, and at this time the male bird will begin its ballet performance with great passion, and while the female bird is admiring it in rapture, quickly jump onto the female bird's back, and then fulfill its wish. After mating, the female bird leaves on its own to find a suitable place to build a nest and lay eggs, anda single mother ⟧62⟧. The male, meanwhile, remains at the lek, waiting for the arrival of the next female.raises the offspring to adulthood in that role. The male bird, on the other hand, continues to stay at the lek, waiting for the arrival of the next female bird.

A greater bird-of-paradise performing its courtship dance. Source: LabofOrnithology / youtube

Debuting in the center position is very important

The lek of birds is somewhat similar to the talent show stage of humans; every male at the lek should have a chance to win the female's favor. But in fact, of all the mating events that occur at a lek of greater birds-of-paradise,the leading man is usually the same male bird ⟧67⟧, possibly because the perch this male occupies is the most popular with females. This is actually a good thing for the female: the males compete for the most popular perch through display and fighting, and the female does not need to spend too much energy evaluating the males one by one, but instead, this may be because the perch occupied by this male bird is the most popular with female birds. For the female bird, this is actually a good thing; male birds compete for the most popular perch through display and fighting, and female birds do not need to spend too much energy evaluating male birds one by one, but insteadgoes straight to the center position to "hold hands" with the most capable "male guest" ⟧69⟧A male and female greater bird-of-paradise in the act of the unspeakable. Image: Loic Degen / HBW Alive。

greater bird-of-paradise male and female in the middle of an indescribable act. Image: Loic Degen / HBW Alive

As the saying goes, the Great Wall was not built in a day, and Rome was not built in a day. Male greater birds-of-paradise also need to wait six or seven years before they can fully grow those exaggerated ornamental plumes. Before that, theseyoung males look more like females ⟧72⟧. They often stay at the edge of the lek, observing and learning the performances of older individuals, and practicing from time to time, mastering the dance skills as quickly as possible. However, because they look so much like females, sometimes some older males even get confused and, they often linger at the edge of the lek, observing and learning the performances of older individuals, and practicing from time to time, mastering the dance skills as quickly as possible. However, because they look so much like female birds, sometimes some older male birds even get confused, andtry to mate with these young males ⟧74⟧, and presumably the inner feelings of these young males are also quite devastating., presumably the inner feelings of these young male birds are also very much broken.

Victims of the feather trade

The brilliant feathers of the greater bird-of-paradise also brought them fatal disaster. Among the indigenous tribes of the island of New Guinea, the greater bird-of-paradise and some other birds-of-paradise are usuallyregarded by the locals as a kind of prize ⟧78⟧. The clothing of the indigenous people is usually decorated with various luxurious bird-of-paradise feathers. On some important occasions and festivals, the men of these indigenous tribes wear these exquisite feather ornaments, dancing their bodies to the fullest,. On the clothing of the indigenous people, various luxurious bird-of-paradise feathers are usually decorated. On some important occasions and festivals, the men of these indigenous tribes would wear these exquisite feather ornaments, dancing their bodies to their heart's content,displaying and showing off like birds-of-paradise ⟧80⟧, to express their desire for the opposite sex., to express their longing for the opposite sex.

A greater bird-of-paradise in courtship display. Image: Loic Degen / HBW Alive

As soon as bird-of-paradise specimens arrived in Europe, they caused a sensation in society. At the time, European royal families and nobles collected these rare specimens toshowcase their power and taste ⟧84⟧. From the nineteenth century until the first decade of the twentieth century, these seemingly bizarre feathers were matched with exquisite hats and clothing, becoming the most fashionable ornaments of the time.. From the nineteenth century all the way to the first decade of the twentieth century, these seemingly bizarre feathers were matched with exquisite hats and clothes, becoming the most fashionable ornaments of the time.

Unlike the greater bird-of-paradise and the indigenous people on the island of New Guinea, in Europe these feather ornaments were worn by women. It is estimated that about several million birds-of-paradise of various kinds became victims of the feather trade, and it was not until the mid-twentieth century that the feather trade gradually stopped. Rather reassuringly, however, the wild population of the greater bird-of-paradise is still fairly stable, and it is listed asLeast Concern ⟧87⟧ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.species.

Let me add a digression here: as early as before Western navigators reached the Malay Archipelago and the island of New Guinea, the Ming Dynasty navigator Zheng He of our country had already passed through the surrounding areas many times on his voyages to the Western Oceans, and even earlier the residents along our country's coast had also carried out small-scale voyages to the Nanyang. By rights they should already have come into contact with bird-of-paradise specimens. In the Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong once painted aFive-Colored Parrot Painting ⟧90⟧, depicting the, depicting theornate lorikeet ⟧92⟧ Trichoglossus ornatus, whose distribution area is very close to that of the greater bird-of-paradise. Perhaps because Chinese people prefer living birds and were not very interested in these dried specimens, there are few images and written records about the greater bird-of-paradise in our country's history.Trichoglossus ornatus, whose distribution range is very close to that of the greater bird-of-paradise. Perhaps because Chinese people prefer living birds and are not very interested in these dried specimens, there are rarely any pictures and written records about the greater bird-of-paradise in our country's history.

Five-Colored Parrot Painting. Image: Emperor Huizong of Song / currently held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA

Ornate lorikeet. Image: Fred / wikipedia

Let me end with Wallace's words in his book The Malay Archipelago --

The various living things on Earth were not created for humans. Most of them have nothing to do with us humans, and their reproduction and survival do not depend on humans. Their laughter and joy, love and hate, struggles for survival, vitality and lifespans seem to be related only to themselves, their own kind, and other living things closely related to them.

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Paradisaeidae, magnificent bird-of-paradise