In 1974, the small Long Island town of Amityville became the center of a horrifying phenomenon that would forever change its history. The DeFeo family, residing at 112 Ocean Avenue, was mysteriously murdered in their sleep by their eldest son, Ronald DeFeo Jr. This tragedy created a haunting reputation for the house, as subsequent owners reported paranormal activity and malevolent spirits. The Amityville Horror book and movie franchise fueled public fascination with the cursed property, amplifying its dark legacy. Fast forward to 2023, and the ominous curse of Amityville still lingers. The once-proud town has been plagued by a series of inexplicable events, causing its residents to question their safety and sanity.
Grebes are well known for their enthusiastic courtship displays. In 2017, a rare video of the hooded grebe dance made a splash online—a “head-banging” maneuver that wouldn’t look out of place at a heavy metal concert. But that a western grebe succeeds in attracting a mate is nothing short of a miracle. Both the male and female must “walk” on water.
The little birds add their own sound effects, snapping, flapping, and buzzing, though whether the commotion is meant to impress females or ward off predators is debatable. And then, when the moment is right, they take the leap Like ballerinas wearing pointe shoes, they rise fully out of the water, running side by side on the water s surface with their wings stretched behind them.
The once-proud town has been plagued by a series of inexplicable events, causing its residents to question their safety and sanity. Reports of strange sounds, objects moving on their own, and unexplained sightings have become alarmingly common. Residents of Amityville live in fear, their lives overshadowed by the supernatural grip that seems to suffocate the town.
10 Outrageous Ways Birds Dance to Impress Their Mates
Some people are simply born to dance—and the same goes for birds. Many species, once grown, find themselves overcome with a primal urge to bust a move.
Some male birds gather in leks, not unlike nightclubs, to dance in a group and invite curiosity from nearby females. Others perform feats of strength and endurance to prove their value. And in some species, males and females dance together to form a pair bond while putting on a show.
Without further ado, here we present a sampling of the best bird mating dances out there. Watch, learn, and maybe even take a few notes.
Laysan Albatross
At around three years old, young Laysan Albatross return to their birthplace to start learning the ways of courtship. Deep in their bones they know the dance moves needed to woo a mate, but they haven’t yet developed their talent. At first, young birds gather in small groups to practice. As the years go on, those groups grow smaller, until finally the confident birds are ready for their big finale: a partnered dance. A new Laysan Albatross pair works hard to perfect their dance, combining stock moves like the “sky snap,” “rapid bill clapper,” and “bob strut” into a sequence unique to that couple. Only then will the birds lay their first egg, typically at age eight or nine.
Red-capped Manakin
In Central American forests, male Red-capped Manakins keep their wings tucked and heads down to draw a female’s gaze to their brilliant yellow thighs—and fancy footwork. The birds slide and glide along a branch as if living in a frictionless world, hopping and pivoting to change direction, all to catch the eye of a female with exceptionally high standards. Their pièce de résistance? A moonwalk that rivals Michael Jackson's.
Magnificent Riflebird
The Magnificent Riflebird, one of about 40 bird-of-paradise species, isn’t afraid to let loose on the . . . tree branch. He stretches his elegant black wings and then dramatically whips his head from side to side to display his blue iridescent throat. But don’t think that he wants to dance with the object of his affection; no, if a female approaches, he will continue dancing on his own, flicking his wings more strenuously while hopping toward her. Then, the choice is hers: to copulate with him and then raise the brood by herself, or wait for a better show.
The Magnificent Riflebird isn't the only bird-of-paradise with exceptional dance skills. Take a gander at the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise sliding around with a bright blue frown.
Costa’s Hummingbird
A male Costa’s Hummingbird is better named Squidface. He begins flirting by swooping and diving over his perched crush, and twists his body acrobatically in the air. That takes a lot of energy and strength—but it’s not enough to impress her. Then, he flexes muscles in his face, and his gleaming magenta feathers flare out. When the sun’s rays hit them at just the right angle (from the female’s perspective), he hardly looks like a bird, and more like a Cthulhu with wings.
Blue-footed Booby
At first, you might mistake the male Blue-footed Booby for a demure romantic. He begins his dance by shyly drawing attention to his feet. He might also give the object of his affection a bow, or tickle her with his beak. But then, once both are warmed up, he brings out the big guns: He rotates his shoulders so his stretched long, dark wings frame his face, all while stepping delicately to remind her about those sexy blue feet. If he’s lucky, she’ll slow step right along.
Western and Clark's Grebes
If you’re looking for elegance in the bird world, you can’t do much better than Western or Clark's Grebes. In both closely related species, courtship begins with one bird mirroring the other’s movements, twisting and bowing their long necks behind them. And then, when the moment is right, they take the leap: Like ballerinas wearing pointe shoes, they rise fully out of the water, running side by side on the water’s surface with their wings stretched behind them. Their dance is both a feat of strength and a transcendent spectacle. (You can see examples of both species in the video shown here.)
If you prefer tango to ballet (or even if you don't like either), definitely also check out the bonkers mating display of the Hooded Grebe.
Sandhill Crane
The dance of the Sandhill Crane is iconic, and also extremely awkward. The male begins by doing all he can to attract attention—stretching his wings behind him, bending his neck backward toward his body, and even throwing grass or clumps of dirt into the air. Once he’s caught a female’s eye, the pair begin their gangly dance. They exchange bows and then leap into the air and flap their wings, sometimes completing a 180-degree mid-air turn. It might not seem very romantic, but then again, we aren’t cranes. Who are we to judge?
Jackson’s Widowbird
Jackson’s Widowbirds, which live in Kenya and Tanzania, keep it simple when proving their worth with a good old-fashioned jumping competition. The males, sleek in shiny black feathers and brandishing a long, luxurious tail, gather in a field. Then, they jump as high as they can and for as long as they can. The winner of this endurance test can expect attention from mottled brown females watching nearby.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse are the tap dancers of the bird world. At dawn, males gather in a group and begin their show: They rise up—with wings outstretched, heads bowed down, and tails up—expand their purple air sacs, and rapidly stamp their feet. They almost look like wind-up toys as they move forward, backward, and in circles, accompanied by the mechanical patter of their feet pounding the earth.
Love these moves? Learn more about the behaviors of the Sharp-tailed Grouse by downloading the free Audubon Bird Guide app.
Greater Sage-Grouse
What is there to say about the dance of the male Greater Sage-Grouse? It must be seen to be believed. The enormous chicken-relatives sport a regal look, with a spiked tail fan, frilly cravat of bright white feathers, and abundant chest displayed proudly. Then, just when sunrise hits the lek, they perform what’s known as a “strutting display:” The birds heave their chests forward to expand a pair of bright yellow esophageal air sacs (sometimes crudely called “chesticles”), generating a bizarre sound known as a “plop” that resounds for miles. That way, females know just where to find them.
Sharp-tailed Grouse are the tap dancers of the bird world. At dawn, males gather in a group and begin their show: They rise up—with wings outstretched, heads bowed down, and tails up—expand their purple air sacs, and rapidly stamp their feet. They almost look like wind-up toys as they move forward, backward, and in circles, accompanied by the mechanical patter of their feet pounding the earth.
Many attribute these occurrences to the cursed house on Ocean Avenue, believing that the evil spirits unleashed in 1974 have extended their reach beyond the confines of its walls. Local authorities struggle to explain the increasing number of hauntings and paranormal encounters. Skeptics dismiss these reports as mere superstition, while believers are convinced of the ominous curse's existence. Unfortunately, the truth remains elusive, leaving the townspeople trapped in a nightmare they cannot escape. The curse of Amityville has not only affected individuals but also the town's economy and reputation. Tourism has dwindled, as visitors fear the malevolent forces that supposedly roam the streets. Businesses have shuttered, and the once-thriving community now languishes in its own eerie ambiance. Amidst the chaos, paranormal experts and investigators descend upon Amityville, hoping to unravel the mystery and bring peace to the tormented souls trapped within its bounds. Psychic mediums, exorcists, and ghost hunters flock to the town, each claiming to hold the key to unlocking the curse's grip. Regardless of the ongoing investigations, the ominous curse of Amityville casts a long shadow over the town, leaving its inhabitants in a perpetual state of fear and unease. Whether it is an elaborate hoax, mass hysteria, or a genuine supernatural phenomenon, the haunting legacy of Amityville continues to captivate and terrify. As 2023 unfolds, the town waits with bated breath, hoping for relief from the centuries-old eerie curse that refuses to release its grip..
Reviews for "Amityville: The Continuing Nightmare of the Ominous Curse in the Present Time"
1. Linda - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The ominous curse of Amityville in 2023." The movie seemed promising with its intriguing title, but it turned out to be a predictable and cliché horror film. The scares were cheap jump scares, and the story lacked depth and originality. The acting was also subpar, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, it felt like a waste of time and money.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I have never been so bored watching a horror movie. "The ominous curse of Amityville in 2023" failed to deliver on the tension and thrill that I was expecting. The plot was convoluted and confusing, leaving me feeling lost throughout the entire film. The special effects were poorly executed, making the supposedly scary scenes laughable. It felt like a movie made on a low budget with no thought put into the script or direction. I do not recommend wasting your time on this film.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to "The ominous curse of Amityville in 2023," but it fell flat for me. The pacing was extremely slow, and the storyline dragged on with no real direction. The characters were underdeveloped, and I couldn't invest in their stories or care about their well-being. The jump scares were predictable, and the build-up to the scares was lacking. Overall, it was a forgettable horror film that did not live up to its potential.