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In the July Cornell Laboratory eNews it is announced that there is a new species of the Superb Bird-of-Paradise (Lophorina superba).. It is a great story about how science works, using multiple sources of evidence, in this case observational, behavioral, vocalization and DNA.

 

The Superb Bird-of-Paradise is one of those classical examples of female choice sexual selection, first proposed by the keen naturalist, Charles Darwin.

 

And the display evokes wonder. Here it is and if you've not seen it, you'll understand why it is referred to as the "psychedelic smiley face."  The display involves four different feather groups.