Paradigalla brevicauda
The Short-tailed Paradigalla, *Paradigalla brevicauda*, is a medium-sized bird-of-paradise, typically measuring around 23 cm (9 inches) in length. Its plumage is predominantly velvety black, often exhibiting an iridescent sheen of deep purplish or dark blue when caught in the right light. The most distinctive field marks are the vibrant, fleshy wattles surrounding its eyes, which are a striking combination of brilliant yellow and bright blue. As its name suggests, it possesses a relatively sh...
This species is a specialist of undisturbed montane rainforests and cloud forests, thriving at elevations between 1,200 and 2,800 meters (3,900-9,200 feet). It prefers dense primary forest with a rich, multi-layered canopy and understory.
The diet of the Short-tailed Paradigalla is omnivorous, consisting primarily of a wide variety of fruits, such as drupes and berries, supplemented with arthropods including insects and spiders, which are gleaned from bark and foliage.
Short-tailed Paradigallas are diurnal and generally solitary, though they may occasionally form loose associations while foraging. They are highly arboreal, moving deliberately through the mid-canopy and understory, expertly clambering along branches and vines. Foraging involves meticulously glea...
The Short-tailed Paradigalla is endemic to the central highlands of New Guinea. Its distribution spans both the Indonesian provinces of West Papua and Papua, and into Papua New Guinea. Key breeding areas include the Arfak Mountains, Tamrau Mountains, and Wandamen Mountains on the Bird's Head (Vog...
Least Concern
- Unlike many of its flamboyant relatives, the Short-tailed Paradigalla's display is relatively understated, relying more on its striking facial wattles than elaborate feather plumes. - The genus name *Paradigalla* is thought to combine "Paradise" (referring to birds-of-paradise) with "gallus" (m...