Monday, July 7, 2008

Paradigalla carunculata - Long-tailed Paradigalla

Arfak Mountains, Papua, Indonesia - 2005 © Mehd Halaouate

Arfak Mountains, Papua, Indonesia - 2005

Source:
http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/picpages/pic187-11-1.html

Lesser Bird-of-paradise (Female)



Source:
http://flickr.com

Loboparadisea sericea - Yellow-breasted Bird-of-paradise

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http://www.sunature.com/bbs/list.asp?id=23763&page=1&lei=4

Manucodia atra - Glossy-mantled Manucode


Glossy-mantled Manucode, San Diego, CA



Source:
http://www.ejphoto.com/glossymantled_manucode_page.htm

Cicinnurus magnificus - Magnificent Bird-of-paradise








Source:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Cicinnurus%20magnificus&w=all&s=int

Lesser Bird-of-Paradise

Lesser Bird-of-Paradise. Photo by Rick Taylor. Copyright Borderland Tours. All rights reserved.

Source:
http://www.borderland-tours.com/v2/content/view/53/75/

Crested Bird-of-Paradise

Crested Bird-of-Paradise. Photo by Rick Taylor. Copyright Borderland Tours. All rights reserved.

Crested Bird-of-Paradise. Photo by Rick Taylor. Copyright Borderland Tours. All rights reserved.

Source:

http://www.borderland-tours.com/v2/content/view/53/75/

Astrapia mayeri - Ribbon-tailed Astrapia

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. Photo by Dave Semler. All rights reserved.

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. Photo by Dave Semler. All rights reserved.

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. Photo by Dave Semler. All rights reserved.

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. Photo by Dave Semler. All rights reserved.



Photo: Ribbon-tailed bird of paradise on a branch
A ribbon-tailed bird of paradise on a branch
Photograph by Robert Sisson


There are more than three-dozen species in the family Paradisaeidae, more commonly known as the birds of paradise. Most are distinguished by striking colors and bright plumage of yellow, blue, scarlet, and green. These colors distinguish them as some of the world's most dramatic and attractive birds. Males often sport vibrant feathered ruffs or amazingly elongated feathers, which are known as wires or streamers. Some species have enormous head plumes or other distinctive ornaments, such as breast shields or head fans.

Males put their bright colors and unusual ornaments to good use when they display for females. Their elaborate dances, poses, and other rituals accentuate their appearance and put on a phenomenal show for both female birds and any humans lucky enough to be in the vicinity. Such displays can last for hours, and in many species they consume a significant part of the male's time.

Birds of paradise are found in New Guinea and surrounding islands. The manucodes and riflebirds species also dwell in Australia. Birds of paradise are so attractive that their appearance once made them the target of skin hunters, who decimated some species.

These birds also lend their name to a colorful flower. South Africa's bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a member of the banana family. It sports a beautiful flower believed to resemble the avian bird of paradise in flight.

Source:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/printable/bird-of-paradise.html

Seleucidis melanoleuca - Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise


















Source:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stavenn/sets/72157603574177396/