Pteridophora alberti
The King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Pteridophora alberti, is a truly magnificent and uniquely adorned member of the Paradisaeidae family, known for its extraordinary ornamental head plumes. The male is roughly 22 cm (8.7 in) long, excluding its incredible head wires, which can reach up to 50 cm (20 in) in length. Its body plumage is a striking velvety black on the upperparts, contrasting with a vibrant ochre-yellow belly. The defining feature, however, is the two supraorbital (above the eye)...
This species primarily inhabits montane and subalpine forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, typically at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,850 meters (4,600 to 9,350 feet) above sea level in New Guinea.
Their diet consists primarily of fruits, with a strong preference for drupes and berries, supplemented by a significant proportion of arthropods, including insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. They forage by gleaning from branches and foliage.
King of Saxony Birds-of-paradise are largely solitary and diurnal, spending their days foraging and males establishing display territories. Males exhibit a polygynous mating system, performing elaborate courtship displays from exposed perches within their territories. Their display involves vigor...
The King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise is endemic to the montane cloud forests of central and western New Guinea. Its distribution is fragmented, primarily occurring along the main cordillera of the New Guinea highlands. Notable populations are found in the Arfak Mountains of West Papua, the Snow Mo...
Least Concern
- The male's two 'antenna-like' head plumes can grow up to 50 cm (20 inches) long, making them more than twice the length of the bird's body. - These plumes are not feathers in the traditional sense; they are stiff, keratinized structures with serrated edges, resembling plastic strips. - Early or...