Phylum
Chordata
Family
Paradisaeidae
Class
Aves
Genus
Paradisaea
Order
Passeriformes
Conservation Status
Vulnerable (some species)
Size
20-44 cm, 100-300 g
Coloration
Males: vibrant colors, ornate plumes; females: duller
Adaptations
Elaborate courtship displays
Habitat
Rainforests
Diet
Omnivorous
Fruits, insects
Geographic Range
Papua, Indonesia
Reproduction
2-4 eggs; incubation ~18 days
Threats
Poaching, deforestation
Interesting Facts
Dazzling Dancers: Males perform intricate courtship dances, flashing iridescent feathers to attract females, a spectacle unique to Papua's forests. These displays, seen in Raja Ampat, involve synchronized movements and calls, drawing global attention to their conservation.
Cultural Icons: Revered in Papuan traditions, their plumes adorn ceremonial headdresses, symbolizing beauty and prestige. Overhunting for these feathers, combined with habitat loss, threatens species like Wilson's bird-of-paradise, endemic to West Papua.
Best Places to Sight
Raja Ampat Islands
Wasur National Park
Lorentz National Park