PLANET EARTH Jungles

This is our planet's hothouse. The jungle. The tropical rainforest jungle. Forests like these occupy only three percent of the land yet they're home to over half of the world's species. But how do so many different kinds of plants and animals find the space here to live alongside one another?



On the dark, humid forest floor the jungle appears to be lifeless. Often the only signs of life are what you hear. A male blue bird of paradise is advertising for a mate. It's quite a performance but he's not the only bird of paradise here keen to make an impression.
There are nearly forty different kinds on the island of New Guinea each with a display seemingly more bizarre than the rest. A riflebird（飞鸟） of paradise. Like many jungle animals, birds of paradise avoid competing with each other and they do so by living in different parts of this jungle covered island. The six plumed bird of paradise displays in his special clearing, on the forest floor.



The magnificent bird of paradise favors the low branches of bushes. His female is modestly dressed. The male has a good set of lungs but he'll have to do more than flutter his eyelids, if he wants to impress her. It'll all depend on his performance. The females may be dull looking but they're very picky and it's time for a really close inspection. His right side looks fine... but what about his left? Pretty impressive, but is he magnificent enough? Oh dear. Her departure says it all.