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Birds Of Paradise

Paradisaeidae

Last updated: February 1, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
  1. Animals Home
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  3. Birds
  4. Birds Of Paradise

There are around 50 different species!

Continue Reading after the facts...


Birds Of Paradise Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paradisaeidae
Scientific Name
Paradisaeidae

Birds Of Paradise Conservation Status

  • Least Concern

Birds Of Paradise Locations

  • Asia
  • Oceania
Birds Of Paradise Locations

Birds Of Paradise Facts

Main Prey
Insects, Fruit, Seeds, Berries
Distinctive Feature
Brightly coloured feathers and elaborate dance of males
Wingspan
20cm - 120cm (7.9in - 47in)
Water type
Saltwater
Habitat
Tropical forest tree tops
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Favorite Food
Insects
Type
Bird
Average Clutch Size
3
Slogan
There are around 50 different species!

Birds Of Paradise Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Yellow
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Black
  • White
  • Green
Skin Type
Feathers
Lifespan
5 - 8 years
Weight
50g - 430g (1.8oz - 15.2oz)
Height
15cm - 110cm (6in - 43in)

Birds Of Paradise Images

Click through all of our Birds Of Paradise images in the gallery.

View all of the Birds Of Paradise images!




The birds of paradise are a group of birds that are found in the tropical rainforests of south east Asia, mainly in the jungles of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and parts of eastern Australia.

Birds of paradise are best known for the beautiful array of feathers which are existent on the male birds of paradise, which the male bird of paradise uses to attract the attention of the surrounding female birds of paradise. As with many species of bird, the female birds of paradise are dull looking in comparison to their male counterparts and are generally smaller and have light brown feathers, and have a similar appearance to the nightingale.

There are around 50 different birds of paradise species that range in size from 15cm to over a meter in height. Many of the birds of paradise species are extremely rare and are only found in particular habitats and in certain places. The birds of paradise were unknown to the western world until 1996 when David Attenborough stunned the world with his footage of the incredible birds whilst on a trip to Papua New Guinea.

Many birds of paradise species feed on fruits and berries found in the canopy of the surrounding jungle. Some species however, are very partial to eating insects and other birds of paradise favour particular species of spider.

Birds of paradise are known to be the most dramatic and attractive birds in the world. The brightly coloured plumage of the male birds of paradise contains colours ranging from red, to yellow, to green and along with their unique dance moves, the male birds of paradise really stand out on the forest floor.

The beautiful, bright colours of the birds of paradise have made these birds a highly prized target for hunters and tribesman alike who use the brightly coloured feathers of the birds of paradise to create clothes and costumes. This practice and tradition has meant for enormous population declines for the birds of paradise, with some species being worse off than others.

Birds of paradise tend to be solitary birds and only come together to mate. The male bird of paradise attracts a female bird of paradise using his bright feathers and perfected dance routine. The female bird of paradise lays her eggs in a nest. Unlike many other species of bird, the birds of paradise can nest on ground level, in the trees or in dense foliage.

Birds of paradise chicks usually hatch within 20 days but the specific incubation period differs between species. The birds of paradise chicks are often born with no feathers at all although some hatchings are born with a few. The newly born birds of paradise chicks are unable to walk or stand and rely on the mother bird of paradise to find food. Birds of paradise chicks are usually independent by the time they are a month old.

Adult birds of paradise have very few natural predators in the wild but the more vulnerable birds of paradise chicks are preyed upon by large birds of prey and the odd snake. The main predator of the birds of paradise is the humans that live in settlements in the same habitat. Birds of paradise are also being continually threatened by deforestation and habitat loss.

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Birds Of Paradise FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Birds Of Paradises herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Birds Of Paradises are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Birds Of Paradise belong to?

Birds Of Paradise belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do Birds Of Paradise belong to?

Birds Of Paradise belong to the phylum Chordata.

What class do Birds Of Paradise belong to?

Birds Of Paradise belong to the class Aves.

What family do Birds Of Paradise belong to?

Birds Of Paradise belong to the family Paradisaeidae.

What order do Birds Of Paradise belong to?

Birds Of Paradise belong to the order Passeriformes.

What type of covering do Birds Of Paradise have?

Birds Of Paradise are covered in Feathers.

In what type of habitat do Birds Of Paradise live?

Birds Of Paradise live in tropical forest tree tops.

What is the main prey for Birds Of Paradise?

Birds Of Paradise eat insects, fruit, seeds, and berries.

What are some distinguishing features of Birds Of Paradise?

Birds Of Paradise have brightly colored feathers, and males do elaborate dances.

How many eggs do Birds Of Paradise lay?

Birds Of Paradise typically lay 3 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Birds Of Paradise?

There are around 50 different species of Birds of Paradise!

What is the scientific name for the Birds Of Paradise?

The scientific name for the Birds Of Paradise is Paradisaeidae.

What is the lifespan of a Birds Of Paradise?

Birds Of Paradise can live for 5 to 8 years.

What is the lifespan of a Birds Of Paradise?

Birds Of Paradise can live for 5 to 8 years.

What is the Birds Of Paradise's wingspan?

The Birds Of Paradise have a wingspan of 20cm to 120cm (7.9in to 47in).

How to say Birds Of Paradise in ...
Bulgarian
Райска птица
Danish
Paradisfugl
German
Paradiesvögel
English
Birds of Paradise
Esperanto
Paradizeedoj
Spanish
Paradisaeidae
Finnish
Paratiisilinnut
French
Paradisaeini
Hebrew
עדניים
Croatian
Rajske ptice
Hungarian
Paradicsommadár-félék
Indonesian
Burung-burung Cendrawasih
Italian
Paradisaeidae
Japanese
フウチョウ族 (Sibley)
Malay
Burung Cenderawasih
Dutch
Paradijsvogels
Polish
Cudowronki
Portuguese
Ave-do-paraíso
Swedish
Paradisfåglar
Vietnamese
Họ Chim thiên đường
Chinese
极乐鸟
Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
  7. Christopher Perrins, Oxford University Press (2009) The Encyclopedia Of Birds

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