BIRD OF PARADISE

Birds Of Paradise Facts

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Paradisaeidae
Scientific Name : Paradisaeidae
Type : Bird
Diet : Omnivore
Size (H) : 15cm - 110cm (6in - 43in)
Wing Span : 20cm - 120cm (7.9in - 47in)
Weight : 50g - 430g (1.8oz - 15.2oz)
Life Span : 5 - 8 years
Lifestyle : Solitary
Conservation Status : Least Concern
Colour : Black, White, Grey, Green, Brown, Blue, Yellow, Red
Skin Type : Feathers
Favourite Food : Insects
Habitat : Tropical forest tree tops
Average Clutch Size : 3
Main Prey : Insects, Fruit, Seeds, Berries
Predators : Human, Snakes, Large Birds
Distinctive Features : Brightly coloured feathers and elaborate dance of males

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. 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.
 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 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.