Bird of Paradise

The bird of paradise (also spelled bird-of-paradise) lives in tropical forests in Australia and the surrounding islands. Most types are sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females differ in appearance. While the females have muted colors and short feathers, the males sport long, brightly colored feathers streaming from their heads, beaks, wings, or tails. They use their elaborate feathers in spectacular mating dances designed to attract the attention of a female.

These birds are not just one species. In fact, around 45 distinct types have been identified.

3 Amazing Facts

• Males take a long time to mature. It may take up to seven years for them to gain their adult plumage.
• These birds are important to their habitat as seed distributors. They do not digest the seeds in the fruit they eat.
• When specimens were first brought to Europe during the 1500s, some people thought the Bird of Paradise was the phoenix of myth. In a native language, they were called “birds of God,” and that is from where the name “bird of paradise” was derived.

Habitat

Birds of paradise are found in the tropical forests of New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and northern Australia. Their habitats include lowland rainforests and mountain cloud forests ranging from sea level to an elevation of 13,500 feet. These birds prefer dense vegetation where they can find food sources such as fruit and insects. The nests of birds of paradise are usually cup-shaped or pendant structures made out of twigs, leaves, mosses, roots, vines, grasses, and lichens, which are woven together by the bird’s beak. They typically build their nests high up in trees near freshwater sources for easy access to both shelter and food resources.

These birds are elusive and can be hard to spot in the wild. Travelers are also discouraged from visiting parts of their range. However, the Port Moresby Nature Park and Adventure Park PNG in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, are easily accessible zoos that have fine collections of various species. Each park has a walk-through aviary where you can view the animals up close as they feed on fruits and fly around their rainforest habitat.

Classification and Scientific Name

These birds are in the family Paradisaeidae, Superfamily Corvoidea, and the order Passeriformes. Their class is Aves (birds), their phylum Chordata, and their kingdom Animalia. There are around 45 species divided between 15 genera — Lycocorax, Ptiloris, Manucodia, Epimachus, Phonygamus, Paradigalla, Astrapia, Parotia, Pteriophora, Lophorina, Paradisornis, Paradisaea, Seleucidis, Semioptera, and Drepanornis.

Evolution

The evolutionary history of birds of paradise is an intriguing one. It is believed that they evolved in the Australasian region some 20 to 25 million years ago and are closely related to bowerbirds and mannikins. Scientists believe that these birds first developed their extravagant plumage as a result of sexual selection; having more elaborate feathers became linked with better mating success for both males and females. As time went on, this process led to increased diversity in feather coloration and patterning among different species.

The remarkable coloring and courtship displays found among birds of paradise remain one of nature’s most impressive spectacles, making them a favorite subject for study by ornithologists everywhere.

Size, Appearance, & Behavior

The smallest is the king bird-of-paradise, which weighs 1.8 oz (50g) and is less than 6 inches (15 cm) in length. The largest is the curl-crested manucode, which weighs 15 oz (430g) and is 17 inches (44 cm) in length — more than three times the size of its smaller cousin. The black sicklebill has the longest tail — from beak to tip-of-tail, it is 43 inches (110 cm).

Males have brighter and longer feathers than females. Females bear drab colors, usually green, black, or brown. Some have long, thin, curved beaks. Generally, females of the species have bigger beaks.

These birds exhibit some of the most interesting and entertaining behaviors of any bird. Males go to great lengths to attract the attention of females. They will often clear a “dance floor” — a branch or a patch of ground — by removing all leaves, twigs, and debris. Then, the real show begins. Depending on the species, males may hold their wings and tails at odd angles, puff out their chests, and dance rhythmically.

Diet

Birds of paradise, found in the tropical forests of New Guinea and Australia, have a varied diet depending on the species. Generally speaking, they feed mainly on fruit, small insects such as beetles or flies, spiders, and other arthropods. Some species also consume nectar from flowers and are important pollinators for certain plants. During their breeding season, they may switch to proteins like grubs or caterpillars that provide much-needed energy for egg production. They usually search for food in trees or low bushes. Some even hunt at night when nocturnal insects are most active. Although birds of paradise eat both plant and animal matter, their diets tend to be mainly frugivorous, except when there is a lack of available fruits during certain times of the year.

Predators and Threats

The birds of paradise have many predators, including cats, owls, hawks, snakes, rats, and dogs. In addition to these natural predators, the birds of paradise face threats from human activity. One of the main threats is habitat destruction due to deforestation for logging or agricultural purposes. Other threats include pollution and hunting for their feathers and skins. Birds of paradise are also sometimes killed by collisions with buildings or power lines when they migrate to overdeveloped areas. Climate change has been linked to changes in their habitats, which can further threaten their survival as well as decrease food availability.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

As already noted, these birds are noted for their elaborate mating dances. Once a female chooses the male with the best dance moves as her mate, she builds a nest and lays one to two eggs. She raises the chicks without assistance from the male.

Some species are monogamous, meaning they mate for life. Others engage in lekking. This means that groups of males display and dance together. The watching female then chooses her favorite from the group. She may mate with a different male each nesting season.

Sometimes, when territories overlap, hybridization occurs as species interbreed. This introduces even more variations in appearance.

The lifespan is five to eight years.

Population and Conservation

The number of these elusive birds is unknown. Some scientists claim there are fewer than 10,000 greater birds of paradise remaining on earth.

The conservation status of birds of paradise varies greatly depending on the species. Some species, such as the Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise, are listed as Near Threatened and have decreasing population numbers due to deforestation in their habitats. Others, such as the King of Saxony bird-of-paradise, are currently classified as Least Concern, although their populations have been reduced by habitat loss and hunting for feathers. The greater bird-of-paradise is also considered Least Concern. Other species, like the red bird of paradise, are listed as Near Threatened. Conservation efforts must continue to protect these birds so that future generations can enjoy these magnificent creatures.