Mandarin duck
Not a huge amount of effort goes into self preening For most men getting up in the morning, or getting ready for a big night out - because surely their fantastic personalities will win any female over!
But for the male bird, what you see is what you get. Attraction is a huge driving force when it comes to plumage, so it makes sense that many male birds looks spectacular.
On the other hand the females look rather duller. The reason for this apparent gender favoritism is a logical one, however - to ensure that they are more camouflaged from potential predators.
1. The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
The adult male is very striking and is unmistakable in color. They are found in Russia, China, Japan, California and the United Kingdom. Mandarin ducks are one of the few duck species that are not hunted for food, as apparently they taste awful!
2. Indian Peacocks (Pavo cristatus)
Getting down to basics, the peacock has multicolored feathers so he can attract and mate with as many peahens as possible. His vibrant feathers are a sign of health, his tail-waving and dancing is a sign of strength and his loud call lets the females know his whereabouts. The number of eyespots on the feathers enhances the peacock's sexual appeal. This showman’s display will hopefully have the peahens swooning at his feet… or talons so to speak.
3. Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)
Golden Pheasants are very timid birds and will hide in dark forests and woodlands during the day, and roost in very high trees during the night. Although the males are bright they are difficult to observe because of their shy nature.
For those of you who believe in reincarnation, coming back as one of these male birds would be pretty appealing. You would be a singing star, have some fancy moves and be incredibly handsome - and would attract a lot of females… nice!
4. Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)
These bluebirds are the state bird of Nevada. They are most at home in environments such as high mountain meadows with scattered trees and bushes. The males are a brilliant sky blue color.
5. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis)
Male cardinals are brilliant red all over, with a reddish bill and black face. They often sit in a hunched over position with the tail pointed down. They are found in Southern Canada, Eastern United States and in Hawaii. They woo their female mate by feeding her seeds beak-to-beak. Talk about a cheep date!
6. Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)
The male painted Bunting is often described as the most beautiful bird in North America. The males used to be very popular for keeping as pets, but this is now illegal as their numbers are dwindling.
7. American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
The American Goldfinch is also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary. When these birds get into the breeding season, they display a bright plumage, do fancy aerial maneuvers and sing to boost their attractiveness.
8. Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae)
Both sexes are brightly colored, but the females tend to display less bright colors. There are red and black headed finches, and the redheaded are stereotypically fiery and more aggressive. This bird is found in Northern Australia and particularly likes tropical woodlands. Any parents who worry about losing their baby at nighttime should take note - the young birds have blue phosphorescent beads on the sides of their beaks which light up in the dark!
9. King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)
The King Parrot's home environment is found in Australia, as they favor humid and heavily forested areas. The male has a fiery appearance with green wings and back. If hand reared, they make great pets.
10. Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeidae)
This tropical bird’s habitat is mostly in New Guinea and its neighboring islands. Males sport vibrant feathers and amazingly elongated tails. They are definitely not shy birds when it comes to breeding. They engage in elaborate dances, poses and anything really that will capture the attention of females. This can go on for hours!