The birds of paradiseWhat are the birds of paradise?There are some 42 species of Birds of Paradise in the family Paradisaeidae. (The names are also used for a family of plants from the neotropics.) The birds are found mainly on the island of New Guinea, but also extend south to south-east Queensland, and west to some northern Moluccan islands in Indonesia. They are thought to have the most colourful and varied feathers of any family of birds. They are best known for their elaborate and colourful plumage, rivalled only by the pheasants of tropical Asia. The males of the better known polygamous species perform elaborate display dances to entice the duller coloured females. Thus, they are among the most elaborate examples of the development of sexual selection.
(They are not all stunning, however, and there are some duller species, and even a few that might be considered 'ugly', like the glossy black Manucodes.)
Where can I see birds of paradise?(in New Guinea) As most birds of paradise are found on the large island of New Guinea, it would make sense to look here. However, they are difficult birds to find in regular travel around New Guinea. In the lowlands of Papua New Guinea, the feathers are often seen in dancing costumes. The birds are therefore are hunted for these feathers and are thus understandably shy of people! Some of the easier birds of paradise to see are the less elaborate species, such as the Manucodes. The trumpet Manucode is common in different habitats around New Guinea, and the Curl-crested Manucode is usually pretty obvious on the forest edge and in the Eucalypt, Melaleuca and pandanus woodland habitats around the Dei-Dei Hot springs on Ferguson Island, part of the D'Entrecasteaux group.
To see the more spctaular species requires specifcially going to Bird Lodges. I have heard good reports about Kumul Lodge, near Mt. Hagen, but I haven't been there myself...yet!
Birds of paradise can be a bit easier to see in tropical Australia. In north-east Queensland, the loud and piercing cat like 'waaaa!" of the Victoria's Riflebird is often heard in commonly visted areas such as on Marrdja boardwalk in the Daintree, and in the Atherton Tablelands around the Crater Lakes Eacham and Barrine. They can sometimes be seen at accommodations such as
Chambers Rainforest Lodge
and
Cassowary House,
if they come to the feeders on the verandah.
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