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Season 3, Episode 4

Bearded Beauties

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When you think of an animal with a beard chances are you’re not thinking birds. Maybe a bearded dragon, or a bison. As you may have seen on this week’s episode of THE ZOO, the Western capercaillie can now be added to the list.

Male and female capercaillies display these feathered “beards” to attract mates, although the male capercaillie’s is more prominent as you can see in the photos below. The males also perform a dramatic courtship that includes a specific call. You can hear this call while walking though the World of Birds exhibit during the spring. In fact, the Bronx Zoo is the only zoo in the U.S. where you can hear this bird call and check out the feathered beard in person.

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