Romance is for the Birds

Okay, so my art history class is not so bad. Our professor brings in these really entertaining examples from outside of our class material to discuss, like this amazing Richard Attenborough video clip about the Australian Bowerbird. You have to watch it.

How charming is this bird!?



Attenborough starts out saying the bird we're watching is physically the plainest of its family, basically implying that as long as he makes an impressive enough display in its decorating job of his nest, he'll have a good shot at seducing a female bird.

But I like how he emphasizes later that this bird has an edge on birds who rely on their genetic appearances to seduce other birds. The Bowerbird can make decisions with his own creation, to build a better way of seduction.

I think what this bird is telling us, is that a little style can go a long way. It's like how the members of OK Go are so adorable in their little festive suits, peppy songs, and cute dances. You know they would not get the ladies in a boring t-shirt and jeans.



I'm also amused at how Attenborough says at the end, "It's the tastes and fancies of the females, single mothers who have no need of the help of male in bringing up their families, that has led to these extravagant exhibitions."

My class is discussing whether the bird is creating art. Well DUH.

The real question is, is the bird is really being romantic, or is he just pimpin'out his bachelor pad? Sometimes animals and people are really just the same.