A “High Bred” Collar

A “High Bred” Collar
这位仁兄出身不凡，“衣领”炫目

The Jacobin pigeons is one of approximately 350 breeds of domesticated pigeon around the world. Most such breeds descend from the wild rock pigeon (Columbia livia).
雅各布鸽属全球家鸽大约350个品种中的一种。这种品种的鸽子大多起源于野鸽（其学名为Columbia livia）。

声明：双语文章中，中文翻译仅代表译者个人观点，仅供参考。如有不妥之处，欢迎指正。

A Morning Display

A Morning Display
清晨表演

A male greater bird of paradise (Paradisaea apoda) poses in the hope of attracting a female in the Aru Islands of Indonesia. This courtship display happens on treetop branches the birds have stripped of their leaves, leaving a clear space in which to put on displays in the early morning light.
在印度尼西亚的阿鲁群岛上，一只雄性大极乐鸟（学名为Paradisaea apoda）正为吸引一只雌性大极乐鸟而大摆造型。鸟儿会将树梢上的枝叶去除，给它们的求爱舞留出空地。于是在清早的晨曦中，这场求爱秀就这么上演了。

 

Scikletails

Scikletails
镰尾鸟

An adult male Wilson’s bird of paradise (Cicinnurus respublica) shows off modified, wirelike tail feathers shaped like sickles. It’s because of this distinctive feature that this species, along with two related species, are called “sickletails”.
一只成年雄性威氏极乐鸟（学名为Cicinnurus respublica）向我们炫耀了它弯若镰刀、犹如细丝的整洁尾羽。正是这种显著的特征，这种鸟类同与之相关的两种鸟类被称为“镰尾鸟”。

 

A Brilliant Rib

A Brilliant Rib
一块炫目的排骨

A male magnificent bird of paradise (Cicinnurus magnificus) poses for the ladies on his perch in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. Females of the species are a comparatively drab olive brown.
一只雄性丽色极乐鸟（学名为Cicinnurus magnificus）在其巴布亚新几内亚莫罗贝省的栖木上求偶。这种鸟的雌性相比之下呈浅橄榄褐色。

 

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty
处境优越

A male red bird of paradise poses in an upside-down display on Batanta Island, Indonesia.
在印度尼西亚的巴丹塔岛上，一只雄性红色极乐鸟为吸引红颜而倒挂金钩。

 

Cleaning Duties

Cleaning Duties
羽毛清洁工

A male common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) must pay close attention to the condition of his multicolored plumage. These birds dive into the water to catch prey, but they need to make sure their feathers stay clean and waterproof so they can fly.
一只普雄性通翠鸟（学名为Alcedo atthis）必须得密切留意其多彩的羽毛。这种鸟儿潜入水中捕捉猎物，不过它们的羽毛得保持干净才能防水，使它们飞行。

 

Showgirls

Showgirls
歌舞女郎

Showing off what looks like the ultimate bad hair day, these domestic silkie showgirl chickens strike a pose for National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore.
这些家养乌鸡在《国家地理》杂志的摄影师乔尔·萨尔托雷的镜头下，顶着歌舞女郎的造型，生动地显耀了一幅厄运不断的郁闷模样。

Big Blue

Big Blue
大蓝鹭

A great blue heron (Ardea Herodias) hunches on a semi-submerged rock on the Occoquan River in Northern Virginia. The birds are the largest of North America’s herons and are expert fishers.
在美国弗吉尼亚州北部的奥克宽河（Occoquan River）上，一只大蓝鹭（学名为Ardea Herodias）弓背落脚在一块半掩于水中的礁石上。这种鸟是北美洲体型最大的苍鹭，它们是捕鱼能手。