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Imagine creatures so beautiful
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00:00:17,080 --> 00:00:20,599
that people thought they had come down
directly from Heaven -
3
00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:21,879
so striking
4
00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:24,479
that the first Europeans to see them
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00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:28,119
thought they could only have escaped
from the Garden of Eden.
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00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,079
In fact, that Eden was New Guinea...
7
00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,479
...one of the last inhabited islands
to be explored by Europeans.
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00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,239
And it remains virtually the only place
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00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:43,719
where you can see
these wonderful creatures.
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00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:45,279
They were birds,
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00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:48,519
but unlike birds
that anyone had ever seen before.
12
00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:54,879
They brought the image of beauty
almost to the edge of absurdity.
13
00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:56,959
And their displays
14
00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:01,279
were even more extraordinary
and bizarre than their appearance -
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00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:05,119
some of the most complex to be found
in the animal kingdom.
16
00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:08,079
They may not have come
from the Garden of Eden,
17
00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,079
but they certainly deserved the name
18
00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:12,959
that the first European scientists
gave them -
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00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:14,559
the birds of paradise.
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00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,839
Yet much of what they do
is still unknown.
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00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:21,959
More than 1 50 years after
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00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:24,599
the first scientific observations
of these creatures,
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00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:27,599
in spite of innumerable expeditions
24
00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,519
and countless hours
of scientific observation,
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00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:34,759
we are still only catching glimpses -
tantalising glimpses -
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00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:36,879
of these heavenly creatures.
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00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:41,759
A new generation of scientists,
and film crews,
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are attempting to put that right.
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00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:48,639
But these remarkable birds
don't give up their secrets easily.
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Another expedition is setting off
to look for birds of paradise.
31
00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:09,319
But this one is different.
32
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This one is being mounted
by the New Guinea people themselves.
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00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:18,239
A new generation
of local conservationists
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00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:21,639
are concerned that
paradise bird numbers may be falling.
35
00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:24,599
(TWO-TONE SQUAWKING)
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00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,279
(HIGH-PITCHED THRUMMING)
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This team is led by Miriam Supuma.
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With her is bird expert Paul Igag.
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MIRIAM: Ah! I've got my knickers wet!
(LAUGHING)
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00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:46,519
Miriam's love of nature began in
a small village school in the mountains.
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00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:48,719
To follow that passion,
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she learned English,
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00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:55,359
got herself to university, and finished
her ecology fieldwork in Australia.
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00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,439
Over the next three months,
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00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:07,519
she aims to see and document
ten birds of paradise species.
46
00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:12,679
She has agreed
to let our camera crew go with her.
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00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,959
They're starting with
the smallest of the family -
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00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:26,719
the king bird.
49
00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,239
Miriam searches for signs.
50
00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,719
You have to know what to look for...
and she does.
51
00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:44,559
You can see peck marks
on this fruit here.
52
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(REPEATED CHIRPS)
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That's his call,
54
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but shejust can't see him.
55
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It tends to like this area.
56
00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:58,359
One of the reasons is because
of the light coming through.
57
00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:02,599
They're show-off birds,
so they like to show their plumage
58
00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:04,879
and the light complements
their bright plumage.
59
00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:08,119
The signs are good.
60
00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:10,199
They decide to build a hide.
61
00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:14,119
It must be big enough
to seat her and the camera crew.
62
00:04:17,280 --> 00:04:18,919
But there's a problem.
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00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,239
A dead banana tree
blocks the camera's view.
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00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:27,319
Miriam has it...gently pruned back(!)
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(REPEATED SHRIEKING CALLS)
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00:04:34,280 --> 00:04:36,519
She's confident
the birds will return.
67
00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:40,959
This is the mating season,
when they become less shy.
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00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:46,519
She discovered this
when she was still a student.
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00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,799
Working in the forest
early one morning,
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00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,999
she spotted a bird of paradise
high in the tree tops...
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00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:59,119
...and below it, another preening
its plumes in the morning sun.
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(HIGH HONKING)
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00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:05,439
And then they displayed.
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00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,159
The sight changed her life.
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00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:15,839
On that day, I noticed about
six or seven birds of paradise,
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00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:19,799
singing and dancing, and it just
continued for five or ten minutes.
77
00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:23,599
I stopped what I was doing -
I was measuring trees at the time.
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00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:25,959
I was looking at it -
just staring at it in awe.
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00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:28,479
(REPEATED SHRIEKING CALLS)
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00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:37,239
Naturalists fall in love with nature
and then come back for more.
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00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:44,079
Seven years on,
and experience has taught Miriam
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00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,639
that the best way to observe
the male king bird
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00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:50,719
is to find his display perch
and then wait for him to arrive.
84
00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,239
Teaches you a lot of patience,
doesn't it?
85
00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,399
And patience can often pay off.
86
00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:05,959
Oh, there it is. Wow!
87
00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,919
The king bird.
88
00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:12,599
It's facing that way
with its back towards us.
89
00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:14,439
You can see the red back.
90
00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,359
It's gone up into the canopy.
91
00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:23,839
He's a deep chilli-pepper red
with a snow-white breast.
92
00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,439
Two long quills sprout from his tail,
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each tipped by a green disc like a coin.
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00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,919
That was a...that was a rare moment.
95
00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:38,319
Oh, there - there it is again. Wow!
96
00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:39,639
She's thrilled.
97
00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,719
With other males calling
in the forest nearby,
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00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:46,079
Miriam is sure that she's found
a good population here.
99
00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:47,919
(NEARBY BIRD CHEEPING)
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00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,639
(TWO-TONE SQUAWKS)
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00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:53,759
The male king bird will call
to the females in the area.
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00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:00,719
If none come,
he will perform without them.
103
00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:08,919
After puffing himself up,
104
00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,759
he flicks his quills above his head
and waggles them,
105
00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:15,039
making the little discs dance
in the air above him.
106
00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:22,119
(TWO-TONE SQUAWKS)
107
00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,279
He's still hoping for an audience.
108
00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:31,439
Undeterred, he ends with a flourish.
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00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:35,599
He swings upside down
and locks his legs...
110
00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,359
...and then he turns himself
into a pendulum.
111
00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:44,439
(TWO-TONE SQUAWKS)
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00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,359
The king bird is a soloist.
113
00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:57,279
The males of many other species
display in groups.
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00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:59,519
(REPEATED HOOTING)
115
00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,279
(HIGHER-PITCHED, QUICKER HOOTING)
116
00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:05,119
These are the greater birds of paradise.
117
00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:12,839
Males assemble every day in one special
tree, waiting for a female to arrive.
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00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,919
When one does,
they all snap into action.
119
00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,639
(URGENT HOOTING)
120
00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:31,039
And she selects the one she prefers.
121
00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:38,239
She's rewarded with a one-on-one,
starting with pecks on the head.
122
00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:43,879
And eventually she accepts him.
123
00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,839
While all the males may appear
equally gorgeous to our eyes,
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00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:53,599
females apparently
detect differences.
125
00:08:53,680 --> 00:08:56,879
What's more, they nearly all mate
with the same male.
126
00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:00,799
By selecting the finest plumes
in this way,
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00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:05,399
the females have increased the males'
beauty, generation after generation,
128
00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:09,719
and so brought these magnificent dances
into existence.
129
00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:15,399
(AEROPLANE ENGINE THROBS)
130
00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:20,439
The spectacular beauty of their birds
fascinates the people of New Guinea,
131
00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:23,279
as I discovered back in 1 957.
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00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:30,839
I knew that the bird of paradise plumes
were important,
133
00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:34,359
and I quickly discovered
just how important.
134
00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,079
The plumes
are the equivalent of money
135
00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:41,879
and an essential payment in the bargaining
that goes on between families
136
00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:43,839
when fixing a wedding settlement...
137
00:09:45,560 --> 00:09:48,199
(SINGING AND CHANTING)
138
00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,159
...and when men want to dance.
139
00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:58,239
And what I saw 50 years ago
is still going on today.
140
00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:06,079
Goroka Town,
in the heart of the mountains.
141
00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:10,959
It's festival time
and feathers are still essential headwear.
142
00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:21,079
Go with the photograph
if you can, or...
143
00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:23,999
It's a key moment in the year
for Miriam's research.
144
00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:27,039
Look at these and then look
at what's on the headdresses.
145
00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:32,519
The feathers of many different species
of bird are used in the headdresses,
146
00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:36,599
and the team want to find out
how many come from birds of paradise.
147
00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:42,479
These scenes are not very different
from those I filmed myself
148
00:10:42,560 --> 00:10:44,319
half a century earlier.
149
00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,159
RECORDING: There were 500 ofthese men,
150
00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,919
stamping up and down monotonously
and unceasingly.
151
00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,719
And as I watched them, I realised
152
00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:56,439
that here was the reason why no-one
had brought us birds of paradise.
153
00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,679
NARRATION: Miriam wants to see
my footage from 1 957
154
00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:05,079
so she can compare the numbers and species
used by dancers then and now.
155
00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:10,039
RECORDING: Each man was wearing
the feathers of 30 or 40 birds.
156
00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,759
At this one dance, we were seeing
157
00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:16,479
the plumes of over 20,000
slaughtered birds of paradise.
158
00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:21,679
NARRATION: The desire to possess
the beauty of the birds
159
00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:26,319
is an ancient obsession
still alive in these tribal lands.
160
00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:36,439
The island of New Guinea is huge.
161
00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:38,439
1,000 miles long,
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00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,119
lying between Australia and the equator,
163
00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:45,319
it was pushed up from the bottom
of the sea way back in geological time.
164
00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:51,799
A few land mammals from Australia
managed to get here,
165
00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:56,199
including some marsupials
such as the strange tree kangaroo.
166
00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:05,839
But there are no indigenous
carnivorous mammals here.
167
00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:13,359
With fruit growing all the year round,
this is indeed a paradise for birds.
168
00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:15,959
(PLAINTIVE CRYING)
169
00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,159
Then, some 30,000 years ago,
170
00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:29,879
the greatest threat to their existence
walked in on two legs.
171
00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:37,839
But today, there are people here
whose only aim is to protect the birds.
172
00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:43,559
Paul Igag was brought up on the coast,
a fisherman's son.
173
00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:49,039
Paul gave up the fishing life
to study biology.
174
00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:52,199
He married a highland girl
175
00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:55,279
and stayed up here
to pursue his love of forest birds.
176
00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:57,559
(BIRDS WHISTLE AND CHIRP)
177
00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:00,799
(PLAINTIVE CRYING)
178
00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,399
The call of the raggiana bird of paradise.
179
00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:05,559
(CRYING)
180
00:13:05,680 --> 00:13:10,119
(WHISPERS) You can see a male up there
with full adult plumage.
181
00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:13,919
He's trying to attract females.
182
00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,999
Paul has seen many
of the forest's rarest bird species.
183
00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:30,639
He builds platforms in the canopy
where he can sit quietly and wait.
184
00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:39,599
Some birds are quite bold
and seem undisturbed by his presence.
185
00:13:39,680 --> 00:13:41,679
(WHIRRING SQUAWKS)
186
00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:46,599
Others are much more wary, like
the magnificent rifle bird of paradise.
187
00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:59,199
Paul has been watching the birds
intensively for over 1 5 years.
188
00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:02,559
(WHIRRING SQUAWKS)
189
00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:07,079
His tracking skills
are crucial to the project.
190
00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:11,319
(DISTANT HOOTING AND WHISTLING)
191
00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,919
Together, Paul and Miriam
start to identify
192
00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,879
the bird populations
that may need protection.
193
00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:28,519
(WHIRRING SQUAWKS)
194
00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:38,119
Paul is taking Miriam
to a remote village southeast of Goroka.
195
00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,279
(MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH)
196
00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:48,999
As I did on my own journey
to the interior,
197
00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:53,199
they have to cross high mountain ranges
blanketed by forest.
198
00:14:55,800 --> 00:15:01,879
Between these walls of rock
lie immense valleys like the Wahgi.
199
00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:09,319
Hundreds of tribes have lived
on the island for thousands ofyears,
200
00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:13,999
separated by these barriers
of water and rock.
201
00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,519
800 languages have evolved,
202
00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:26,999
some as different from one another
as English is to Chinese.
203
00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:33,319
The language of Haia village
is spoken only here.
204
00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:38,799
Even today, the only contact between
these people and the outside world
205
00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:41,879
is the plane that takes away
their coffee beans.
206
00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,439
It's a warm welcome back for Paul.
207
00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:50,799
He's been coming here for the last
few years to help map tribal boundaries.
208
00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:04,039
This forest belongs to the Haia people.
209
00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:06,199
They have always been hunters,
210
00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,679
but now they are helping to record
the rich wildlife.
211
00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:19,039
One day, all this may become
a protected reserve.
212
00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:23,999
For now, it's hundreds of square miles
of untouched mountain forest.
213
00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:31,679
For the villagers, a wildlife reserve
could bring work and education.
214
00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:33,799
There's a lot at stake.
215
00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:44,599
The locals' hunting knowledge
is invaluable for the project.
216
00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:48,079
Paul and Miriam need to find
natural paths and trees in fruit
217
00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:51,639
if they are to locate
all the threatened species.
218
00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:05,559
The three foot long tail feathers
of the male black sicklebill
219
00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:08,559
are the reason why his kind
is almost extinct locally.
220
00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:15,719
His plumes fetch the highest prices
221
00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:18,519
but hunting here has now been banned.
222
00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,679
This trip is to find
two special birds of paradise
223
00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:29,119
that are still unprotected by law.
224
00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,919
One of them can sometimes be seen
in the very early mornings,
225
00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,399
busy on the floor
of the darkest parts of the forest.
226
00:17:38,120 --> 00:17:42,399
Miriam is looking for
the parotia bird of paradise,
227
00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,039
a bird with a very special dance.
228
00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:54,239
The male parotia is most particular
aboutwhere he dances,
229
00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:56,639
and this could be the place.
230
00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:05,599
Paul is looking for
the magnificent bird of paradise,
231
00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:08,199
a bird which also displays
close to the ground,
232
00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:10,919
and is therefore
very vulnerable to hunters.
233
00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:14,719
"Well, that's it," I said.
234
00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,959
"That's the display court,
and we're going to get him there."
235
00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,119
We didn't want to spend
a long time in that area
236
00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,119
because we want to come back
and see the birds,
237
00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:27,319
or our presence there might,
you know, spoil everything.
238
00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,439
(THUNDER)
239
00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:34,759
Six inches of rain can fall
in a single day on Crater Mountain.
240
00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:38,119
During the downpours,
241
00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,999
the birds of paradise
shelter beneath the leaves.
242
00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:48,999
MIRIAM: I was sitting in the hide
243
00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:52,359
thinking we might not get to see
anything because it did rain.
244
00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:53,919
Bloody mosquitoes.
245
00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:01,999
And then I heard a male parotia.
246
00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,879
There were other males calling
as well.
247
00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:16,519
NARRATION: Black as the blackest night,
248
00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,279
he seems
to absorb all the light around him.
249
00:19:19,360 --> 00:19:21,239
He is Lawes's parotia.
250
00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,399
On his head,
six strange wire-like plumes,
251
00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,039
each tipped with a black pennant.
252
00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:47,239
On his chest, a shield
of iridescent green and gold.
253
00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:04,719
This is his court,
254
00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:10,359
a stage he has carefully cleared
so that he can dance unimpeded.
255
00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:15,279
Clearing away last night's leaf fall
is essential housekeeping.
256
00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:20,839
A female arrives.
257
00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:24,639
She is comparatively drab
with none of his flashy glamour.
258
00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:29,239
She's touring all the courts in
the neighbourhood to choose a mate.
259
00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:32,999
He sets about impressing her.
260
00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:43,599
But one of his rivals
has called by uninvited.
261
00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:51,039
And he is followed by others.
262
00:20:56,320 --> 00:21:01,439
More females arrive
and take up seats for the performance.
263
00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:13,039
(SQUAWKING)
264
00:21:13,120 --> 00:21:16,439
Tensions rise but nobody dances.
265
00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:35,559
Suddenly, one of the intruders
mates with a female.
266
00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:42,159
Another male does the same.
267
00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:44,719
The court has become a free-for-all.
268
00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,679
It's not what Miriam expected.
269
00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:55,879
(WHISPERS) They just went straight
into mating without even any dance at all.
270
00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:59,519
It's almost like skipping dinner
and getting straight into dessert.
271
00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:05,759
It would be nice to see them
actually dancing.
272
00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:10,079
Sitting in the hide for three or four
hours isn't fun with all the mosquitoes,
273
00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:14,759
and you'd like to go away feeling
you'd seen the whole performance.
274
00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:19,759
NARRATION: It's possible that the birds
had been disturbed
275
00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:23,199
by the presence of humans
in the forest around.
276
00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,799
It will be several days before
they venture back
277
00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:40,279
to try another filming session.
278
00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:48,119
Paul has been searching for
the magnificent bird of paradise
279
00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,599
for a few days now,
280
00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:54,959
listening for their calls
and quietly assessing their numbers.
281
00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:58,599
He recently saw one far from here
in the town market.
282
00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:06,639
All birds of paradise have a street value.
283
00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:10,519
It's not illegal for local people
to hunt them or sell them.
284
00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,479
They're a way of making some cash.
285
00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:16,759
PAUL: This is a magnificent bird
of paradise.
286
00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:20,399
The hunters have mounted the bird's skin,
complete with feathers, on a stick,
287
00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,759
ready to be stuck into a headdress.
288
00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:32,999
Another bird wanders by.
289
00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:36,879
A pheasant pigeon,
feeding on the forest floor.
290
00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:50,919
But this is a female magnificent.
291
00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:53,159
And here's another.
292
00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:56,279
There's the female.
293
00:23:56,360 --> 00:23:57,639
Things look promising.
294
00:23:57,720 --> 00:24:00,559
They can only have come for one reason.
295
00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:06,879
A flicker of gold and there he is -
296
00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:09,479
the magnificent bird of paradise.
297
00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:20,279
The male magnificent is clearing away
leaves that have fallen on his court.
298
00:24:23,360 --> 00:24:27,439
Doves and pigeons are helping
by picking up a few seeds.
299
00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:37,119
He's stripping away moss and leaves,
300
00:24:37,200 --> 00:24:40,239
letting shafts of sunlight
into his display court.
301
00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:42,679
He wants to look his best.
302
00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:47,119
PAUL: It's really interesting to see
303
00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:49,439
a magnificent bird of paradise.
304
00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:53,199
The feathers are quite bright and you
could see it out there.
305
00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:55,199
It's like a flame.
306
00:24:56,840 --> 00:25:00,079
The stage seems set
but there's a distraction -
307
00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:01,999
another male.
308
00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:08,399
There's a standoff
between the two males...
309
00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:12,519
Then the females take action.
310
00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:17,399
Surprisingly,
they charge the intruder...
311
00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:21,159
(SHORT, SHARP CALLS)
312
00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:24,679
...and drive him out.
313
00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:35,999
With his stage
now to himself,
314
00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:41,119
the court-maker can give the most
interested female all his attention.
315
00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:53,479
He begins to transform himself for her.
316
00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:58,599
Puffing and pulsing
his breast feathers
317
00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:00,759
creates a special effect -
318
00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:05,279
an emerald-green,
heart-shaped breast shield
319
00:26:05,360 --> 00:26:06,919
to dazzle her with.
320
00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:13,599
Next to his eyes,
two tiny iridescent spots
321
00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:14,759
flash at her.
322
00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:22,919
You might think that this littlejewel of
a bird was one of a kind.
323
00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,599
But he has a cousin on an offshore island
324
00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:31,399
that, in isolation,
has changed into a different species.
325
00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:34,039
Wilson's bird of paradise.
326
00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:37,959
Both have those sickle-shaped tail quills.
327
00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:40,879
But his cousin has a bald head.
328
00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:43,439
And his scalp is blue.
329
00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:48,639
And whereas the magnificent's back
is golden yellow,
330
00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:51,839
his cousin's back has turned red.
331
00:27:00,360 --> 00:27:03,319
Different populations isolated in
different areas
332
00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:05,559
are still evolving different plumes
333
00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:09,239
to match the tastes of the local females.
334
00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:21,559
PAUL: We were thinking,
"When is mating taking place?
335
00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:22,879
"When is mating taking place?"
336
00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:27,199
It's an activity
that probably goes on for a while,
337
00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:30,999
until only the birds know
when it is the right time.
338
00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:37,079
It's Paul's first sighting of
a magnificent bird of paradise
339
00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:40,319
after 1 5 years working
in the forest.
340
00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:46,319
Several days later,
341
00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:48,759
Miriam returns to
the court of the parotia.
342
00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:54,639
The male is back on his dancing ground.
343
00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:58,079
But the camera can't get a proper view.
344
00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:00,239
A log has dropped.
345
00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:03,999
It's too late to build another hide.
346
00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:06,479
Instead, the crew has to make adjustments.
347
00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:12,399
The log is propped up.
348
00:28:12,480 --> 00:28:15,159
There is a risk, of course,
349
00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:17,639
that the court owner will notice
the change
350
00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:19,399
and never come back.
351
00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,439
But he does.
352
00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:28,039
It's a very promising start.
353
00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,639
He removes little bits of litter
354
00:28:35,720 --> 00:28:39,199
and prepares to perform one of
the most complex dance routines
355
00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:41,439
in the whole bird world.
356
00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:42,839
But now there's trouble -
an intruder. Another male.
357
00:29:55,920 --> 00:29:59,799
(AGGRESSIVE SQUAWKING)
358
00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:20,839
But the owner of the court
is not put off.
359
00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:40,319
And that is how it's supposed to be.
360
00:31:41,320 --> 00:31:43,039
Seeing the parotia dance
361
00:31:43,120 --> 00:31:47,759
gives Miriam an insight into
the intimate rituals of her people.
362
00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:51,479
MIRIAM: When I was sitting in the hide,
363
00:31:51,560 --> 00:31:54,199
I was thinking back to the people
here in Papua New Guinea,
364
00:31:54,280 --> 00:31:56,879
they have these gatherings
where they go into a hut
365
00:31:56,960 --> 00:32:00,799
and they sit in a row and alternate
male-female, male-female.
366
00:32:00,920 --> 00:32:03,599
They start singing and rocking their heads
back and forth.
367
00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:05,959
It's like picking out
someone they fancy.
368
00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:10,559
I can understand why, when they
do their traditional dance,
369
00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:12,559
they put the feathers on.
370
00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:18,759
Probably, to them, it represents
something that's kind of sacred
371
00:32:18,840 --> 00:32:20,279
they find in the forest,
372
00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:26,399
and because of the birds' behaviour,
it's a very unique and special bird.
373
00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:40,799
NARRATION: Papuans are steeped in
the mysteries of their tribal past.
374
00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:42,959
Nobody knows it all,
375
00:32:43,040 --> 00:32:48,479
only that birds and humans have
been together for thousands ofyears.
376
00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:57,079
The desire to possess the beauty of
the birds is an ancient obsession.
377
00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:12,479
Everywhere, the paradise birds
are hunted and their plumes treasured...
378
00:33:12,560 --> 00:33:16,719
and stored on the rafters
in houses throughout the land.
379
00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:33,679
These precious feathers
are kept in bamboo tubes,
380
00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:38,279
ready to adorn the bodies
of a new generation,
381
00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:42,479
to help them begin
a new cycle of human life.
382
00:33:54,720 --> 00:33:59,479
(DRUMMING AND SINGING)
383
00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:10,359
Miriam and her team
are counting feathers.
384
00:34:10,440 --> 00:34:14,759
She wants clues as to which birds
are suffering most from hunting.
385
00:34:16,880 --> 00:34:22,279
They question the dancers about where
and how they got their feathers.
386
00:34:24,240 --> 00:34:27,599
(HE SPEAKS IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE)
387
00:34:27,680 --> 00:34:31,079
She's keen to know about
one species in particular.
388
00:34:31,160 --> 00:34:35,159
What I have here is
the blue bird of paradise.
389
00:34:35,240 --> 00:34:39,399
I've seen it worn by some of
the highlanders on the headdress.
390
00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:43,399
NARRATION: It's a very vulnerable bird
and its feathers fetch high prices.
391
00:34:43,480 --> 00:34:46,759
MIRIAM: It's been hunted heavily
in the past.
392
00:34:46,840 --> 00:34:48,679
I haven't seen it displayed
in the wild
393
00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:51,479
and if I did,
that would be something.
394
00:34:51,560 --> 00:34:55,119
NARRATION: In the meantime,
beliefs die hard,
395
00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:59,279
but among them, there are some
that can actually protect the birds.
396
00:35:07,080 --> 00:35:10,479
There's a fear of angering
the spirit world.
397
00:35:10,560 --> 00:35:14,359
And where spirits live,
hunters will not go.
398
00:35:18,520 --> 00:35:22,519
PAUL: Imagine a mountain that is
covered in forest.
399
00:35:22,600 --> 00:35:27,079
No-one goes up there. People
believe that there is a spirit up there.
400
00:35:27,960 --> 00:35:32,359
People don't touch that mountain,
so that forest remains intact.
401
00:35:38,920 --> 00:35:41,719
For us, working in conservation,
it works perfectly -
402
00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:45,359
it leaves that place unspoiled.
403
00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:52,599
NARRATION: Early one morning,
Paul and Miriam
404
00:35:52,680 --> 00:35:56,079
begin climbing up to part of the forest
where hunters fear to tread
405
00:35:56,160 --> 00:35:59,839
to look for two special
birds of paradise.
406
00:36:01,720 --> 00:36:06,959
Different species live at different
altitudes, depending on the rainfall
407
00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:09,999
and the type of fruit trees
growing at different levels.
408
00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:18,079
Even today, not a great deal
is known about these birds -
409
00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:19,679
where they nest,
410
00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:21,279
how they raise their young,
411
00:36:21,360 --> 00:36:25,599
where the species overlap,
even interbreed.
412
00:36:25,680 --> 00:36:28,799
Biologists are still
trying to find the answers.
413
00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:36,799
Field work like this
brings its own delights.
414
00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:40,239
MIRIAM: Ah! I got my knickers wet!
415
00:36:40,320 --> 00:36:42,119
(LAUGHING)
416
00:36:43,600 --> 00:36:45,999
MIRIAM: It's a challenge in itself
to working -
417
00:36:46,080 --> 00:36:49,359
being a researcher
and working in a remote area.
418
00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:53,159
Sometimes you get to spend
months and months out in the field
419
00:36:53,240 --> 00:36:56,399
and you miss your comforts in life.
420
00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:02,199
The trade-off is that
you get to listen to
421
00:37:02,280 --> 00:37:03,239
birds singing in the morning.
422
00:37:03,320 --> 00:37:04,879
You wake up to that every day.
423
00:37:07,840 --> 00:37:12,159
NARRATION: Miriam is looking for
the blue bird of paradise.
424
00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:17,119
In undisturbed forest, she hopes
to find populations of birds
425
00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:19,359
that will be less wary of humans.
426
00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:30,479
Paul is looking for
the superb bird of paradise,
427
00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:33,159
whose breast feathers
are so sought-after.
428
00:37:36,600 --> 00:37:39,319
It calls in the dense mid-canopy,
429
00:37:39,400 --> 00:37:43,519
but it displays on or near the ground
and in open spaces.
430
00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:52,519
A large fallen tree
and there's a hopeful sign here.
431
00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:55,999
On one side,
some of the moss is missing.
432
00:37:56,080 --> 00:37:59,239
Small dancing feet
could have rubbed it away.
433
00:37:59,320 --> 00:38:03,839
This could be a good place
to watch for the superb.
434
00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:06,519
But the weather is not good.
435
00:38:06,600 --> 00:38:09,719
(WIND GUSTS)
436
00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:20,839
In wind and rain,
birds, like people, take shelter.
437
00:38:20,920 --> 00:38:24,439
There is nothing to be done except
wait for a break in the weather.
438
00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:31,079
It's now getting late
in the birds' breeding cycle.
439
00:38:31,160 --> 00:38:34,119
Their displays are becoming
less frequent and intense.
440
00:38:40,240 --> 00:38:43,359
It's been six days
since the team built the hide
441
00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:45,839
beside the fallen tree.
442
00:38:45,920 --> 00:38:49,999
Paul arrives in the rain
at five each morning,
443
00:38:50,080 --> 00:38:52,959
and leaves in the rain at noon.
444
00:38:53,040 --> 00:38:56,959
And the fallen tree
isjust remaining a fallen tree.
445
00:39:01,200 --> 00:39:05,519
In a damp thicket, Miriam
is keeping vigil for the blue bird.
446
00:39:11,680 --> 00:39:13,879
Day seven,
447
00:39:13,960 --> 00:39:16,319
and finally a visitor to Paul's log,
448
00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:18,679
but it's only a ground dove.
449
00:39:18,760 --> 00:39:21,839
(SHRIEKING CALL)
450
00:39:21,920 --> 00:39:23,839
That's the call of the superb.
451
00:39:23,920 --> 00:39:27,799
He's making an advertising call
from a high point.
452
00:39:27,880 --> 00:39:31,079
(SQUAWKING)
453
00:39:31,160 --> 00:39:34,159
And it's not far from Paul's hide.
454
00:39:36,920 --> 00:39:38,879
(SQUAWKING)
455
00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:40,919
(WHISPERS) It's nearby.
456
00:39:41,000 --> 00:39:42,919
NARRATION: After many days of solid rain,
457
00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:45,519
the birds are quickly
becoming active again.
458
00:39:46,960 --> 00:39:48,999
Miriam's bird, a blue bird,
459
00:39:49,080 --> 00:39:51,639
has come to the edge of the thicket
and is calling.
460
00:39:52,960 --> 00:39:56,759
(WHISPERS) I wonder if that's
the same bird or two different birds.
461
00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:02,719
Paul's bird is calling non-stop.
462
00:40:02,800 --> 00:40:05,279
(SHRIEKING CALLS)
463
00:40:05,360 --> 00:40:07,559
And there he is.
464
00:40:11,120 --> 00:40:15,279
There's that fabulous
green and blue breast shield.
465
00:40:23,640 --> 00:40:26,199
(SHRIEKING)
466
00:40:26,280 --> 00:40:29,719
He's trying to entice
a female down from the canopy.
467
00:40:31,840 --> 00:40:34,039
(SQUAWKING)
468
00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:37,919
But that's not her.
469
00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:39,999
The call seems to irritate him.
470
00:40:46,640 --> 00:40:48,119
And there she is.
471
00:40:50,920 --> 00:40:53,319
He transforms himself.
472
00:40:59,040 --> 00:41:01,999
A black cape appears behind his head.
473
00:41:04,320 --> 00:41:07,919
Then he moves into
a trance-like state
474
00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:09,679
and he dances.
475
00:41:12,160 --> 00:41:15,079
(RHYTHMICAL CLICKING)
476
00:41:36,040 --> 00:41:37,559
Success.
477
00:41:41,000 --> 00:41:44,999
And here is that performance again.
478
00:41:45,080 --> 00:41:48,119
All is not what it seems.
479
00:41:48,200 --> 00:41:51,479
Those spots
that look like eyes
480
00:41:51,560 --> 00:41:54,799
are in fact feathers
reflecting the dawn light.
481
00:41:56,280 --> 00:41:59,439
That clicking noise is not his wings
striking the wood,
482
00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:01,919
but quills
flicking against one another,
483
00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:03,679
like the clicking of fingers.
484
00:42:07,920 --> 00:42:10,519
Bizarre and beautiful.
485
00:42:12,920 --> 00:42:16,159
No wonder his breast shield
is so treasured by human dancers.
486
00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:27,479
It's day nine.
487
00:42:27,560 --> 00:42:30,599
Miriam is still waiting for
the blue bird to appear
488
00:42:30,680 --> 00:42:32,359
in the thicket in front of her.
489
00:42:33,800 --> 00:42:36,359
(DISTANT SHRIEKING)
490
00:42:38,840 --> 00:42:43,639
He calls from nearby trees.
Could the hide be putting him off?
491
00:42:49,520 --> 00:42:52,119
At last, he comes
492
00:42:52,200 --> 00:42:54,879
and takes up his position
on his favourite branch
493
00:42:54,960 --> 00:42:56,999
in his own special way.
494
00:42:58,840 --> 00:43:00,279
(WHISPERS) Wow!
495
00:43:05,480 --> 00:43:07,439
It's our lucky day.
496
00:43:18,960 --> 00:43:22,879
I've never seen anything like this -
this is crazy.
497
00:43:38,320 --> 00:43:40,999
NARRATION: It's a performance
of such exquisite beauty,
498
00:43:41,080 --> 00:43:43,919
it seems unfair that
no female is here to see it.
499
00:43:44,000 --> 00:43:47,319
He is serenading
like a love-struck Romeo,
500
00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:49,919
but the balcony above is empty.
501
00:43:56,120 --> 00:43:58,439
One can only sympathise.
502
00:44:08,400 --> 00:44:10,919
Male birds of paradise have
played to empty seats
503
00:44:11,000 --> 00:44:13,199
for hundreds of thousands
ofyears.
504
00:44:13,280 --> 00:44:15,919
It has been their special
evolutionary destiny
505
00:44:16,000 --> 00:44:18,879
to spend their lives
displaying their beauty.
506
00:44:18,960 --> 00:44:22,519
It's what makes them
so extraordinary.
507
00:44:28,000 --> 00:44:30,879
The next morning,
the male blue bird returns.
508
00:45:06,800 --> 00:45:08,999
Suddenly, he stops.
509
00:45:15,600 --> 00:45:18,639
Miriam has seen something off camera.
510
00:45:18,720 --> 00:45:21,359
There's a female in the tree above.
511
00:45:21,440 --> 00:45:24,159
(WHISPERS) She's here, she's here.
512
00:45:29,160 --> 00:45:33,759
And now she's here,
his performance changes.
513
00:45:33,840 --> 00:45:38,359
His pulsing gives way to a subtle
low buzzing that also throbs.
514
00:45:39,760 --> 00:45:42,479
It's barely audible to human ears,
515
00:45:42,560 --> 00:45:46,079
but the microphone picks it up
loud and clear.
516
00:45:48,760 --> 00:45:52,639
It's an unearthly sound
that he only makes in her presence.
517
00:45:52,720 --> 00:45:56,639
There's nothing like it to be heard
anywhere else in the bird world.
518
00:46:08,920 --> 00:46:11,839
(BUZZING AND THROBBING)
519
00:46:33,800 --> 00:46:37,719
MIRIAM: The vibrating movement
and the puffing of the chest
520
00:46:37,800 --> 00:46:42,039
to expose the black patch
was something intimate.
521
00:46:42,120 --> 00:46:44,599
It only did that
when the female was next to him.
522
00:46:44,720 --> 00:46:49,959
Just looking at it gave you a sense
of guilty pleasure, just looking at them.
523
00:46:50,040 --> 00:46:54,919
It was something intimate
going on between the two birds.
524
00:46:56,880 --> 00:46:59,799
NARRATION: Moving closer,
but without touching him,
525
00:46:59,880 --> 00:47:04,639
the female seems to be studying
every feather of his vibrating body.
526
00:47:06,240 --> 00:47:08,039
Surely he's done enough...
527
00:47:10,360 --> 00:47:12,039
...but no.
528
00:47:12,680 --> 00:47:16,559
MIRIAM: And then all of a sudden
she just flew away,
529
00:47:16,640 --> 00:47:20,719
and it was like, "Oh, come on!"
530
00:47:20,800 --> 00:47:24,879
For the male to go through all that,
it was excruciating,
531
00:47:24,960 --> 00:47:28,159
just to put all that energy into it.
532
00:47:28,240 --> 00:47:31,799
And I think for him it was like,
"OK, maybe we'll try another day."
533
00:47:31,880 --> 00:47:32,839
Yeah.
534
00:47:32,920 --> 00:47:34,439
(SQUAWKS)
535
00:47:34,520 --> 00:47:38,559
NARRATION: Yet his effort
is the whole point.
536
00:47:38,640 --> 00:47:41,159
Males can but try their best.
537
00:47:41,240 --> 00:47:45,879
The rest is up to the females...
and it was ever thus.
538
00:47:45,960 --> 00:47:48,639
(FORLORN SQUAWKING)
539
00:47:52,880 --> 00:47:57,239
The plaintive call of the rejected
male echoes across the mountains.
540
00:47:58,280 --> 00:48:01,679
These dances have been
performed here for millennia,
541
00:48:01,760 --> 00:48:03,559
but for how much longer?
542
00:48:09,080 --> 00:48:13,079
Miriam and her team have made
a good start on their project
543
00:48:13,160 --> 00:48:16,479
but much more work needs to be done.
544
00:48:16,600 --> 00:48:20,079
MIRIAM: We need numbers and in order
to do that, we need to do research,
545
00:48:20,200 --> 00:48:24,599
so we need numbers so that we can see
how they are fluctuating
546
00:48:24,680 --> 00:48:27,199
with time and different factors -
547
00:48:27,280 --> 00:48:31,199
human population growth, hunting,
disturbance, forest clearing -
548
00:48:31,280 --> 00:48:34,399
so we can understand
their conservation status better.
549
00:48:38,800 --> 00:48:42,679
NARRATION: Meanwhile, to preserve the
feathers that the dancers already have,
550
00:48:42,760 --> 00:48:45,919
the team are handing out mothballs.
551
00:48:46,000 --> 00:48:49,079
These can be put inside
the bamboo tubes
552
00:48:49,160 --> 00:48:53,719
in which the feathers are stored
and so save them from decay.
553
00:48:53,800 --> 00:48:57,919
That should reduce the demand
for freshly hunted plumes.
554
00:49:01,640 --> 00:49:05,919
MIRIAM: If we were to lose one of these
birds, or two, it could mean
555
00:49:06,000 --> 00:49:09,879
the loss of something that people
hold close to their hearts.
556
00:49:21,600 --> 00:49:25,119
NARRATION: Papua New Guineans are now
caring for their birds in a new way.
557
00:49:27,680 --> 00:49:31,199
The birds have survived the
tribal culture for thousands ofyears
558
00:49:31,280 --> 00:49:33,879
but the world is changing
559
00:49:33,960 --> 00:49:36,839
and their forest is changing.
560
00:49:36,920 --> 00:49:40,919
Miriam and Paul are starting
a new conservation movement
561
00:49:41,000 --> 00:49:43,319
to ensure that generations to come
46548
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