bird of paradise

The male blue bird of paradise displays to the female high up in the tree canopy. It swings upside down, exposing its bright blue plumage and tail streamers, at the same time uttering low mechanical-sounding cries.

One of 40 species of crowlike birds in the family Paradiseidae, native to New Guinea and neighbouring islands. Females are generally drably coloured, but the males have bright and elaborate plumage used in courtship display. Hunted almost to extinction for their plumage, they are now subject to conservation.

They are smallish birds, extremely active, and have compressed beaks, large toes, and strong feet. Their food consists chiefly of fruits, seeds, and nectar, but it may also include insects and small animals, such as worms. The Australian bowerbirds are closely related.

Chief species include Paradisea apoda, the great bird of paradise, about 50 cm/20 in long, the males having brilliant plumes of great length springing from beneath their wings; Cincinnurus regius, the king bird of paradise, a native of New Guinea, which has scarlet and green plumage; and Ptiloris paradiseus, the black rifleman of Australia