Watch the impressive mating dance of Attwater's prairie chicken

The mating dance of the Attwater's prairie chicken is truly a display of beauty and grace. If you don't believe me, just watch this video, recently posted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which announced that it's currently mating season for the species of grouse that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes as having a "chunky, round body roughly the size of a football with a small head and a short, rounded tail."

In the captivating video, you can see a gorgeous Attwater's prairie chicken doing his thang and strutting his stuff for a lovely lady prairie chicken, who stands by, observing in quiet awe. Just look at him go! Marvel at the pitter patter of his little feet, stomping and shuffling about as if he's re-enacting the iconic "Maniac" dance scene from the 1983 movie Flashdance (the chicken's rendition is almost as good as Jax the Labrador Retriever's version). And check out his bright orange inflatable air sacs that you can see on his chest — they look impressive and sound even better, as they emit a low booming noise that can be heard up to a mile away! Finally, behold his long dark neck feathers, called pinnae, that he's somehow managed to raise above his head like a crown. Just gorgeous! Honestly, what female Attwater's prairie chicken could resist?

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in the early 1900s there were about one million Attwater's prairie chickens, located across six million acres of prairie land stretching along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, from Corpus Christi to Bayou Teche. Currently, it's one of Texas's most endangered birds, as only about one percent of its habitat remains, due to agriculture, urbanization, and fire suppression. Only two populations now exist, both in Texas: one at Attwater Prairie Chicken Wildlife Refuge in Colorado County, and the other in Goliad County, on private property. At the Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in league with The Nature Conservancy, are working to conserve the coastal prairie and revitalize and stabilize the Attwater's prairie chicken population.

Learn more about the amazing Attwater's prairie chicken at the official YouTube channel of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, whose mission is to "manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas." And, much to the delight of all of us — even those who don't live in Texas — they are also kind enough to post photos and videos of the wacky and wonderful wildlife that can be found in the Lone Star State.

Prairie chickens are clearly having a moment. In case you missed it, go check out Popkin's recent piece about a 13-foot-high sculpture of one in Rothsay, Minnesota, which I've already put on my roadside attraction bucket list!