General Information
Birds of Paradise belong to the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. They are native to New Guinea and neighboring islands. Four species are native to eastern Australia. About 43 species are known. Female birds of paradise are dull in color while most males have spectacular plumage or feathers. Plumage varies from black to iridescent green to red. Although they are brightly colored, their flight is slow. Their strong beak, strong feet, loud voices and good flying endurance are all due to their close relationship to crows.
Protected from their natural enemies by their dull color, the females and young gather in small flocks. The more noticeable males are often solitary, but at times engage in elaborate mating or other social display. Birds of paradise are omnivorous, and their food consists largely of fruit, insects, and snails. Before the mating season, the male birds of paradise gather in a tree to display themselves to the dull-colored females by strutting, dancing, and spreading their plumes. After mating, the birds build nests. The female lays from one to three spotted white eggs.
Known for loud and complex calls; and the magnificent plumage of the adult males of many species, the Bird of Paradise family contains both monogamous and polygamous species. The males of the monogamous species are homebodies, generally dressing in dull shades and sharing in the rearing of young. Males of the polygamous species, including the Raggiana and the Magnificent Birds of Paradise, live a little more wildly. They are well known for their beautiful plumages, elaborate courtship displays, and labored undulating flight. During their mating seasons, these colorful males faithfully attend leks: communal perches where they display, dance, sing, and do just about whatever it takes to attract that special someone. But they offer no help when females have to raise offspring.
Europeans learned of these beautiful birds early in the 1400's. Bird of paradise skins with the legs removed were used as articles of trade in Java at that time. In this way began the mistaken idea that Birds of Paradise flew continually around the sun and dropped to earth only when they died. The Swedish naturalist Linnaeus believed this story. In 1753 he named the Greater Bird of Paradise Paradisaea apoda, which means footless paradise bird.
