Birds of Paradise from eastern Indonesia

Bird of Paradise is a member of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. They are found in eastern Indonesia, the Torres strait islands, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia. This family member bird is known for its male feathers in many species, especially the very elongated and complicated feathers that grow from the beak, wings or head. The size of the bird of paradise starts from Cenderawasih raja at 50 grams and 15 cm to Cenderawasih Black crescent at 110 cm and Cenderawasih crested-rolled manukod at 430 grams.

Edited specimens

The most famous Cenderawasih is a member of the genus Paradisaea, including its type species, large yellow Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea apoda. This type is described from specimens brought to Europe from trade expeditions. This specimen was prepared by native traders by removing wings and legs so that they could be used as decoration. This was unknown to explorers and led to the belief that this bird had never landed but remained in the air because of its feathers. This is the origin of the name bird of paradise ('bird of paradise' by the British) and the name of the type apoda - which means 'not legged'.

Many types have complicated mating rituals, with the system of mating of Paradisaea species, male birds gather to compete to show their beauty in female birds in order to mate. While other types such as the types of Cicinnurus and Parotia have regular marriages. Male birds in the sexually dimorphic type are polygamous. Many hybrid birds are described as new types, and some species doubt their validity.

The number of eggs is rather uncertain. In large types, maybe almost one egg. Small species can produce as many as 2-3 eggs (Mackay 1990).

It is reasonable if the bird of paradise is touted as a bird of paradise. How not, the bird that became the mascot of Papua does indeed have beauty with beautiful feather colors. Because of the color elegance, birds of paradise are called birds of paradise or bird of paradise. In fact, reportedly because of its beauty, this bird also rarely descends to the ground or often flies in the air and alighted on tree branches.

The striking color of the brawny is usually a combination of several other colors such as black, brown, orange, yellow, white, blue, red, green, and purple. This bird is increasingly cute with the presence of elongated and unique feathers that grow from the beak, wings, or head.

This beautiful feathered bird of paradise is usually a male. These beautiful feathers have become the capital of male tendons to attract the attention of females during the mating season. In addition to showing off the beauty of their feathers, male tendons even make attractive movements similar to dynamic and beautiful dances to grab the attention of females. Each type of cenderawasih has different types of dances and attractions. Female cenderawasih tends to be smaller in size with a feather color that is not as beautiful and as vibrant as the color of male tendons.

The color that birds of paradise have varies and is one indicator of their type of grouping. Birds of paradise are grouped in the family Paradisaeidae; consists of 13 genera and approximately 43 species (types). Its natural habitat is in dense forests which are generally located in lowland areas and can only be found in eastern Indonesia, especially the Torres strait islands, Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia.

Reportedly, Indonesia is the country with the most species of bird of paradise. Allegedly there are around 30 species of paradise in Indonesia, 28 of which can be found in Papua. Bird of Paradise dead wire (Seleucidis melanoleuca) is the type that becomes the mascot or identity of the Papua Province. In addition to being a mascot of Papua, people in Papua also often use sandalwood feathers as a complement or decoration in clothing