Kingdom : Animalia Class : Aves Family : Paradisaeidae Scientific Name : Paradisaeidae Size(H) : 15cm - 110cm (6in - 43in) Wing Span : 20cm - 120cm (7.9in - 47in) Weight : 50g - 430g (1.8oz - 15.2oz) Life Span : 5 - 8 years Colour : Black, White, Grey, Green, Brown, Blue, Yellow, Red Skin Type : Feathers Distinctive Features : Brightly coloured feathers and elaborate dance of male
- Birds of Paradise are a group of birds found in the tropical rain forests of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and parts of eastern Australia.
- There are around 50 species of birds of paradise ranging from a 15 cm to 1 m in height.
- These birds are very rare and are found only in certain places in particular habitat.
- So much so that the Birds of Paradise were unknown to the western world till 1996!.
- They are most famous for being attractive and dramatic birds.
- The male birds of paradise have a beautiful array of feathers which they use too attract the females.
- They display their bright colored feathers and display their unique dance moves.
- Most female birds of paradise are dull light brown feather and look somewhat like a nightingale.
- Some species of birds of paradise feed on fruits and berries whereas others prefer insects, and still others spiders.
- They are solitary birds coming together only to mate.
- The female bird of paradise lays her eggs in a nest which could be on ground, on trees or in dense foliage.
- The chicks that hatch out after a round 20 days are incubation are usually born without feathers.
- The newborn chicks are vulnerable as they cannot stand or fly and are dependent on their mother for food and protection.
- The chicks fledge after a month of their birth and are independent from then on.
- The main predators of birds of paradise are the humans living in the same habitat.
- They are also threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation.