Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Guyana
The fan-shaped crest of the Guianan cock-of-the-rock evolved through sexual selection and it plays a crucial role in courtship displays. Males with the largest, most symmetrical, and eye-catching crests tend to attract more females at the communal lek sites where mating occurs. The disc-like shape helps exaggerate head movements and catch the light during their elaborate dances, making the male more visually striking. Over time, this preference likely drove the evolution of such an extreme and ornamental feature, even if it makes feeding and vision slightly less efficient, the payoff in reproductive success outweighs the cost. In this image, the bird is staring straight at camera and you can see the usually hidden beak. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 4000, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.