Paradisornis rudolphi
The Blue Bird-of-paradise, *Paradisornis rudolphi*, is a striking medium-sized passerine, approximately 30 cm (12 inches) long excluding its extraordinary tail streamers, which can extend an additional 50-60 cm (20-24 inches). Males are instantly recognizable by their velvety black head, brilliant azure blue back and rump, chestnut-rufous underparts, and an iridescent green throat and breast patch. The most distinctive field mark is the pair of long, black, ribbon-like tail streamers that coi...
Found exclusively in the pristine, humid mid-montane and lower montane cloud forests of eastern New Guinea, typically at elevations ranging from 1100 to 2000 meters above sea level, occasionally lower to 800m or higher to 2050m.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of forest fruits, especially figs and drupes; however, they also supplement their diet with arthropods like insects and spiders, which they glean from foliage and bark.
Blue Birds-of-paradise are primarily diurnal and often solitary, foraging quietly through the forest canopy or understory, though males gather at display sites. Males are polygynous, engaging in an exploded lek breeding system where they maintain individual display territories marked by specific ...
The Blue Bird-of-paradise is endemic to the remote montane forests of eastern New Guinea, exclusively found within Papua New Guinea. Its distribution is concentrated along the southeastern slope of the central mountain range, encompassing the Owen Stanley Range and adjacent mountain systems. Spec...
Vulnerable
- The Blue Bird-of-paradise was named in honor of Archduke Rudolf of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, who was also a keen ornithologist. - Males are famous for their unique 'upside-down' courtship display, where they hang inverted from a branch, fanning their blue plumage to attract ...