Fun fact: Hummingbirds’ courtship

It’s not just humans who take advantage of their environment to put themselves in their best light. You’ve probably seen many people pose for photos attempting to capture their best angle and stand in the most flattering light. But did you know birds do the same?

Female Costa’s hummingbirds find bright purple plumage attractive – and choose the mate with the best-looking feathers. But a recent study found that male Costa’s hummingbirds with dull feathers can still attract a mate if they know how to work their angles.

By dancing facing the sun, their feathers reflect the light and appear brighter to the female – even brighter than males who had naturally bright feathers but danced away from the sun.