The male Costa’s hummingbird has a tiny octopus face

Spring is the time to nest for the Costa’s hummingbirds, before the desert gets too hot. Both males and females are looking for a partner, but it’s up to him to impress her. Though his back shimmers with green, it’s not until we get her point of view that we see his true splendor. He flexes the iridescent feathers of his mantle until they become a glowing mask of violet.

…a glowing mask of violet that looks like a tiny octopus. A TINY OCTOPUS. Like this one. This wonderful clip is from Super Hummingbirds from Nature on PBS.

Watch more hummingbird videos and more mating dance videos.