FaunaHub

Bird-of-Paradise (e.g. Paradisaea raggiana)

BirdNew GuineaCourtship display

Raggiana bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana) male with ornate orange flank plumes.

Raggiana bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana), male.

Image: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Birds-of-paradise (family Paradisaeidae) are among the most spectacular birds on Earth, found mainly in New Guinea and nearby islands, with a few in eastern Australia. The family is famous for the breathtaking ornaments and plumes of the males — cascades of golden flank feathers, iridescent breast shields, wires, fans, and capes — and for the elaborate dances they perform to show them off. The Raggiana bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana), shown here, is the national bird of Papua New Guinea and a classic example, the male flaunting a spray of orange plumes in a treetop display.

These extravagant feathers and performances are the result of intense sexual selection: over generations, female choice has driven the evolution of ever more astonishing male finery.

Note: the family is large and varied; details here use the Raggiana bird-of-paradise as a reference and describe the group broadly. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Most birds-of-paradise live in the rainforests of New Guinea and its surrounding islands, with some species in the forests of eastern Australia and the Moluccas. They occupy a range of forest types from lowland jungle to montane cloud forest, and many are canopy birds; some species are restricted to particular mountains or islands.

Diet

Birds-of-paradise are mainly frugivores, eating a great deal of fruit, and many also take insects and other small invertebrates, with some feeding on nectar. The abundant fruit of New Guinea's forests is thought to help support the family's spectacular evolution, by giving males the time and energy to invest in display rather than in helping raise young. As fruit-eaters, they also disperse seeds through the forest.

Behavior

The hallmark of the family is the courtship display. Males show off their ornate plumes through ritualised dances, poses, and sounds — at traditional perches, cleared forest-floor “courts,” or in groups — transforming their bodies into shimmering shapes to dazzle watching females. In many species the brilliantly adorned males take no part in nesting, and the comparatively drab females build the nest and raise the young alone. Different species have wildly different ornaments and routines, making the family a textbook showcase of how mate choice can shape extraordinary forms.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Birds-of-paradise hold deep cultural significance in New Guinea, where their plumes feature in traditional dress and ceremony, and they are celebrated worldwide for their beauty. Historically the plume trade took a heavy toll, and today habitat loss and hunting are the main pressures; many species remain reasonably secure while some restricted-range ones are of greater concern. Trade is now regulated. Consult the IUCN Red List for species-specific status.

More photos of the bird-of-paradise

A Raggiana bird-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea.

Raggiana bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana), Papua New Guinea.

Image: markaharper1, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Bird-of-Paradise

Why are birds-of-paradise so ornate?
Because of intense sexual selection driven by female choice. Over many generations, females have favoured males with ever more striking plumes and displays, so the males evolved spectacular ornaments — golden flank plumes, iridescent shields, wires, and fans — used purely to attract mates. The result is some of the most extravagant feathering in the entire bird world.
Where do birds-of-paradise live?
Mainly in New Guinea and its surrounding islands, with a few species in the rainforests of eastern Australia and the Moluccas. They inhabit forests from lowland jungle to high montane cloud forest, and many are canopy birds. Some species are confined to particular mountains or islands, making them local specialities.
What is the Raggiana bird-of-paradise?
It's one of the best-known birds-of-paradise and the national bird of Papua New Guinea. The male has a spray of ornate orange flank plumes that it flaunts in energetic treetop displays to attract females. It's a classic representative of the family's beauty and courtship behaviour.
Do male birds-of-paradise help raise the young?
In many species, no. The ornate males typically focus entirely on display and mating, while the plainer females alone build the nest, incubate the eggs, and raise the chicks. This division — flashy, display-only males and hard-working, camouflaged females — is closely tied to the family's strong sexual selection.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.