birds of paradise

birds of paradise

Paradisaeini is a tribe of passerine birds of Paradisaeidae family, with 14 genera and about 43 species of so-called bird of paradise. The most striking feature of birds of paradise is the exuberant plumage of the males of most species used as ornaments in mating rituals. The group is typical of Australasia and is present in the northern tropics of Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and the Moluccas. Birds of paradise mainly inhabit areas of rainforest and mangroves.

The birds of paradise are small to medium sized bird, measuring between 15 to 120 cm long, including the tail. Larger species have approximate dimensions to a crow. The group is notorious for extreme sexual dimorphism: females have dull plumage, gray and brown tones, while males of most species are very colorful, sometimes in contrasting colors and / or iridescent, with long tails and / or feathers that stand head and neck. There are however species where the male is not decorated and is similar to the female. The nozzle is short and strong and adapted to an omnivorous diet, based on fruits, leaves and animals, such as amphibians, insects and other invertebrates.

The male birds of paradise are usually solitary, while females live in small flocks with juveniles. In breeding season, the male is a series of rituals display in order to attract females. These dances are very elaborate and gender Parotia make even remember the hula dances and limbo. In most species, where there is significant sexual dimorphism, the female takes care of the incubation and alone young, but when the male is similar in plumage to the female also take part in parental care. Hybridization is a common phenomenon in this group and results in animals with intermediate plumages, which were confused in the past as own species.

The feathers of birds of paradise are very important in native societies of New Guinea as a symbol of social status. When the island was discovered and exploited by European naturalists, birds of paradise caused a sensation by its exoticism and diversity. The feathers have become a usual adornment hats ladies middle and upper classes, while the natural history museums and private collectors competed for the largest possible number of stuffed specimens. In the late nineteenth century, early twentieth century, many were slaughtered birds of paradise for these purposes and many species were on the verge of extinction. Today the IUCN list only 12 birds of paradise, but all group species are protected in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The import of feathers of birds of paradise is prohibited in most countries.


The birds of paradise were previously classified in their own family, Paradisaeidae.

The Parotia berlepschi species was described in the nineteenth century. Its scientific name is a reference to Hans von Berlepsch, German ornithologist of the same century. It was believed to be extinct, but an expedition that took place in December 2005 rediscovered it in Foja Mountains in Papua New Guinea.