A male paradise whydah is sporting in his 11-inch [28 cm] tail, which he wears especially for mating.
The tail has a large vertical bulge, making it resemble a skirt with a bustle.
Since the bird has such a heavy ‘vertical stabilizer,’ it is no surprise that it, though flying in a straight line, undulates as it goes.
It looks like an airplane that is constantly stalling!
Yet, the bird somehow makes a precision landing, literally dropping from the sky.
