2♂  2♀ 

2

1♂ 

1♀ 

4♂  4♀ 

4

3♂ 

3♀ 

6♂ 

6♀ 

6

5♂ 

5♀ 

1 Western Parotia Parotia sefilata p. 47630–33 cm. Bird’s Head and Neck. Male from other parotias by the combination of medium- length tail and white forehead. female, Juv, or Imm distinguished by the paler underparts and darker upperparts that show less contrast with the black head. Compare with Superb BoP female race superba.

2 Lawes’s Parotia Parotia lawesii p. 47725–27 cm. E ranges and SE Pen. Common. Male has a long, gleaming white patch above bill and very short tail. female, Juv, and Imm are black- headed, blue- eyed, and deep brown on the body. Compare with Eastern P and female Superb BoP races latipennis and minor.

3 Eastern Parotia Parotia helenae p. 47725–27 cm. Northern SE Pen. Both sexes nearly identical to Lawes’s P but differ in forehead profile, which is steep and more concave in Eastern vs sloped and more tapered in Lawes’s. Eastern thus has a rounder head- shape. Male has small, bronze- colored patch over the bill. female, Juv, and Imm have reduced feathering over the bill, leaving half or more of bill tip exposed (less exposed in Lawes’s), culmen (dorsal ridge of the bill) sharply keeled (angular or slightly rounded in Lawes’s).

4 Wahnes’s Parotia Parotia wahnesi p. 477Male 43 cm, female 36 cm. Huon Pen (locally common) and Adelbert Mts (nearly extinct). tail longest of all parotias. Male with golden frontal crest. female, Juv, and Imm are russet dorsally in contrast to the black head; note pale eye- stripe and moustachial streak.

5 Bronze Parotia Parotia berlepschi p. 478Male 26 cm. foja Mts sister- species of Carola’s P. Differs by the pale grey- blue iris of both sexes and the Male’s blackish face and throat and overall bronzed cast.

6 Carola’s Parotia Parotia carolae p. 47825–26 cm. Note yellow eye. Male shows diagnostic white flank plumes and buffy face and throat. female, Juv, and Imm differ, recognized by their cream- colored iris and the pale stripes above and below eye. Compare with female Superb BoP race feminina.

Parotias are moderately large birds of paradise that dwell in mid- mountain forest, where they are locally common. The 6 flagged, wiry plumes projecting from behind the eyes gave rise to the name “six- wired birds of paradise.” Both males and females are best recognized by their chunky shape and yellow or blue- and- yellow eyes. Parotias feed mainly on fruit but also forage by hopping along branches and picking invertebrates from the bark and epiphytes. The male displays at a “court” on the ground that he has cleared of leaves. The court is situated in a tree- fall gap. Male calls of Carola’s and Bronze Ps are higher pitched and ringing; calls of the other species are explosive, harsh, cockatoo- like screams.

PLATe 94 BIRDS OF PARADISe— PAROTIAS

44

55

66

11

22

33

228

Birds of New Guinea Thane Pratt & Bruce Beehler

2♂ 

2♀ 

2

1♂ 

1♀ 

1

4♂ 

4♀ 

3♂ 

3♀ 

3

5♂ 

5♀ 

1 Arfak Astrapia Astrapia nigra p. 482Male 76 cm, female 50 cm. Arfak mts. Uncommon. Male blackish with green breast and extremely long, broad, round- tipped tail. Unique paired nape crest and bronze neck- stripe. female, Juv, and Imm with the least amount of pale barring below of any astrapia.

2 Huon Astrapia Astrapia rothschildi p. 482Male 69 cm, female 47 cm. Huon mts. Common. Similar to Arfak A, but Male lacks bronze neck- stripe and has a purplish nape shield. female, Juv, and Imm show more pronounced narrow whitish bars on breast and belly. See Spangled Honeyeater (Pl. 76).

3 Ribbon- tailed Astrapia Astrapia mayeri p. 482Male 125 cm, female 53 cm. Western sector of the E ranges. Common. Male has a pompom atop bill, and a stupendous pair of narrow, white, ribbonlike central tail feathers. female, Juv, and Imm show a distinctive greenish sheen on head with a small tuft over the base of the bill, and the central tail feathers are pointed and much longer than the rest. These feathers may show some white on the shaft and as blotches near the base, rarely being extensive like the Male’s. range overlaps that of Stephanie’s A, with which ribbon- tailed hybridizes. ribbon- tailed above ~2700 m, Stephanie’s below.

4 Stephanie’s Astrapia Astrapia stephaniae p. 483Male 84 cm, female 53 cm. Eastern cordillera, overlapping in the West with ribbon- tailed. Common. Male is black with iridescent green head, bronze breast band, and spectacular, long, all- black, central tail feathers. female, Juv, and Imm have a black head and buff- brown underparts with fine blackish barring. Compared with female ribbon- tailed A, head lacks obvious green sheen and tuft over base of bill, and the tail is evenly graduated with blunt feather tips and does not show any white.

5 Splendid Astrapia Astrapia splendidissima p. 482Male 39 cm, female 37 cm. Western cordillera. Common. Male predominantly greenish and highly iridescent with unique paddle- shaped, black- and- white tail. female, Juv, and Imm much duller but also show white in the base of the tail, which is evenly graduated (central feathers much longer in ribbon- tailed A).

Astrapias are long- tailed birds of paradise with short bills. The 5 species replace each other regonally across the high mountains of New Guinea, with overlap only between Ribbon- tailed and Stephanie’s. They feed on fruit (especially Schefflera) and methodically forage on branches for insects and other small animal life. Males’ wings hiss loudly in flight— a good means of detection because otherwise the birds are mostly silent. As far as is known, all species display in treetops on ridges and at edges of clearings. Males display while hanging beneath a branch or in flight.

Astrapias form 1 of 2 genera of long- tailed birds of paradise, the other being the montane sicklebills. Female- plumaged astrapias and sicklebills are quite similar and often feed together. Sicklebills have long, curved bills and more pointed tails, and the females show a brown cap.

PLATe 95 BIRDS OF PARADISe— ASTRAPIAS

44

55

11

22

33

230

Birds of New Guinea Thane Pratt & Bruce Beehler

2♂ 

2♀ 

2

1♂ 

1♀ 

1

4♂ 

4♀ 

4

3♂ 

3♀ 

1 Black Sicklebill Epimachus fastosus p. 481Male 110 cm, female 55 cm. Inhabits the transition from mid- mountain to cloud forest. rare and local. Seen foraging on trunks and branches in the canopy or midstory or at fruit trees. Male Black S differs from Brown S in darker breast and red (not pale blue) iris. His song is best means of discovery: a far- carrying KWINK! KWINK! Sings in early morning from a prominent branch. female, Juv, Imm separated from Brown S by rusty wing edges contrasting with the rest of the upperparts and the dark brown iris. Subsp shown: atratus (Bird’s Neck and Central ranges).

2 Brown Sicklebill Epimachus meyeri p. 480Male 96 cm, female 52 cm. Mossy cloud forest, above the elevations of other sicklebills. Common. Male differs from Black S by the brown underparts, pale blue iris, and jackhammer song in 2 bursts: tat- at- at tat- at- at. female, Juv, Imm from Black S by the olive- brown wing edge (same as rest of wing) and pale blue iris.

3 Pale- billed Sicklebill Drepanornis bruijnii p. 48034–35 cm. Lowland forest. Easily located by song, but difficult to observe in the canopy. Joins mixed flocks. Long, curved, ivory- colored bill; large, bare eye- patch; and “Mohawk haircut.” Chestnut tail. Male is dusky- bodied. See account for unique song of varied hollow whistles. female, Juv, Imm barred below. Slightly larger, darker, and more compact than Black- billed S of the mountains.

4 Black- billed Sicklebill Drepanornis albertisi p. 48033–35 cm. Mid- mountain forests. Patchily distributed. Uncommon and easily overlooked. In flight, diagnostic buff tail. Black bill distinguishes it from lowland- dwelling Pale- billed S. Male has a diagnostic pattern from below: smooth grey breast contrasts with white belly and vent. Song is a series of loud, piping notes. female, Juv, Imm have abundant fine barring below.

The Black and Brown Sicklebills are large birds of paradise with a long, downcurved bill and a very long, pointed tail. They live in the high mountains, where the males maintain large territories. The males are black with flank- plumes and iridescent highlights. They display on a snag or branch, stretching themselves horizontally. Sicklebills often associate with astrapias, which are superficially similar but have a short, straight bill and blunt- tipped tail, and the male’s wings hiss in flight.

The Black- billed and Pale- billed Sicklebills live at lower elevations, and males are also territorial. These sicklebills have a medium- length tail and are similar in size and shape to other co- occurring birds of paradise, from which they can be distinguished by the distinctive sickle- shaped bill and rounded, pale buff or cinnamon tail.

PLATe 96 BIRDS OF PARADISe— SICKLeBILLS

44

11

22

33

232

Birds of New Guinea Thane Pratt & Bruce Beehler

1♂ 

1♀ 1

4♂ e

4

2 juv

3 juv

2 ad

3 ad

4♀ e

4♀ W

4♀ Bird’s Head

1 King of Saxony Bird of Paradise Pteridophora alberti p. 47620–22 cm. A small, uncommon canopy dweller of the interior of cloud forest. Male black with a pale ochre breast and belly, and two remarkable, stiff head- plumes that can be moved around like the antennae of a long- horned beetle. Broad, orange- buff wing band in flight. The territorial Male sings in early morning and late afternoon from a high, open perch, usually a dead branch, but displays to female on a vine in understory. female, Juv, Imm are obscure- looking— the small bill, grey plumage, and fine, scalloped barring below suggest something other than a bird of paradise, perhaps a whistler or bowerbird.

2 Long- tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla carunculata p. 48135–37 cm. The paradigalla on the Bird’s Head. from Short- tailed P by the longer, graduated tail and blue- and- red gape wattles. Male with iridescent crown; female duller. Juv unknown, but believed to be similar to that of Short- tailed P.

3 Short- tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla brevicauda p. 48122–23 cm. Middle and upper stories of mossy cloud forest. Distinctive compact shape with narrow bill and short tail. yellow forehead wattles; blue gape wattles. Male crown exhibits greenish, scaly iridescence. female duller, longer- tailed, and smaller. Juv very dull, lacking iridescence. Polygynous, but display unknown. Songs/calls include a melodious hoo- ee? or rising zheee. Also a high- pitched, mournful, 4- note whistling.

4 Superb Bird of Paradise Lophorina superba p. 47925–26 cm. Mid- mountain forest, disturbed areas, and even casuarina and oak copses in highland valleys. Common. Small size. Male unique for blue- green breast shield that is shaped like a pair of wings and the long, thick, black nape- plume (actually a folded cape). Sings from the canopy— a harsh series of 5–8 shree notes— but displays on a log on or near the ground. female, Juv, Imm regionally variable, and color pattern resembles the parotia species in their area. Subspp groups shown:superba (Bird’s Head and Neck) Male lacks the black spots on breast shield and song differs, female has very dark head and upperparts;feminina (W and Border ranges) female’s crown wreathed and speckled;latipennis (E ranges to Wau and Herzog Mts) female variable and intermediate;Not shown is minor (SE Pen) female has black head, brown back, and usually lacks an eyebrow.

Other highland birds of paradise include the parotias, astrapias, and sicklebills.

PLATe 97 BIRDS OF PARADISe— MISCeLLANeOUS HIGHLAND SPeCIeS

44

11

2

Sp?

2

33

234

Birds of New Guinea Thane Pratt & Bruce Beehler

2

1♂ 

1♀ 1

4♂ 

4♀ 4

3♂ 

3♀ 

3

6♂ 

6♀ 

6

5♂ 

5♀ 

5

1

1 Magnificent Riflebird Ptiloris magnificus p. 479Male 34 cm, female 28 cm. The 2 riflebird species are nearly identical and are separated mainly by range and voice. Both are vocal inhabitants of the interior of lowland and hill forest. Males are terribly shy. The female- plumaged riflebirds are often seen in mixed flocks of other rufous species. Both sexes recognized by distinctive shape: robust with longish neck, tapered head, and long bill. Males’ wings rustle in flight. He displays on a branch or thick horizontal vine. female, Juv, Imm: note whitish eyebrow and moustachial stripe and dark legs. Male Magnificent’s song is 2–3 colossal, upsweeping, musical whistles.

2 Growling Riflebird Ptiloris intercedens p. 479Male 34 cm, female 28 cm. Song is a 2- noted growl. This species’ feathered culmen and Male’s shorter flank plumes are difficult to discern in the field— see species account.

3 Twelve- wired Bird of Paradise Seleucidis melanoleucus p. 47833–35 cm. Swampy lowland forest and regrowth. Best seen along rivers. The wary Male may be tracked down by his powerful song and hissing wings, or in early morning at his display site atop a dead spire. Song similar to paradisaeas, short series of harnh, haw, or koi notes. The more approachable female is often seen in mixed flocks. female, Juv, Imm diagnostic with reddish- brown back and tail, black cap, and finely barred underparts. Unique red iris and pink legs. Long chisel- bill is prominent.

4 Magnificent Bird of Paradise Diphyllodes magnificus p. 48419 cm. Hill and lower mid- mountain forest. Common but seldom seen except at fruiting trees or display court— a cleared space on the ground around a thin sapling. Song a series of ~8 loud, downslurred chur notes rapidly delivered. The only small mainland bird of paradise with bright blue- grey bill and legs. Male colors muted in the forest gloom; look for tail wires and contrasting dark ventral and light dorsal pattern. female, Juv, Imm identified by the blue- grey eye- stripe, bill, and legs.

5 Wilson’s Bird of Paradise Diphyllodes respublica p. 48416 cm. Hill forest on Waigeo and Batanta Is. Unique bald, cobalt- blue crown with black lines. Male’s red breast easy to spot. Habits and voice similar to Magnificent BoP.

6 King Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus regius p. 483Male 16 cm, female 19 cm. Lowland and foothill forest, edge, and second growth. Common but difficult to observe. The smallest mainland BoP. Male unique. He sings and displays from a subcanopy tangle of shaded vines in the forest interior. Song is a slow, swelling series of nasal, paradisaea- like notes: rahn rahn rahn rahn . . . or a rapid ki kyer kyer kyer kyer kyer . . . . female, Juv, Imm lack facial markings but have a diagnostic head shape with long, tapered profile, and pale yellow bill.

Other lowland and hill BoP include the manucodes, Pale- billed Sicklebill, and paradisaeas.

PLATe 98 BIRDS OF PARADISe— MISCeLLANeOUS LOWLAND AND HILL SPeCIeS

44

55

66

11

22

33

236

Birds of New Guinea Thane Pratt & Bruce Beehler

2♂ 

2♀ 

2 

1♂  1♀ 1 

4♂ 

4♀ 

4 

3♂ 

3♀ 

3 

1 Goldie’sBirdofParadise Paradisaea decora p. 485Male 33 cm, Female 29 cm. Hill forests of Fergusson and Normanby Is, locally in the lowlands. Male has reddish flank plumes, yellow crown and back, and unique grey breast. Female, Juv, Imm show a dull yellow crown, chocolate throat, and finely barred breast, unusual for a Paradisaea.

2 RedBirdofParadise Paradisaea rubra p. 485Male 33 cm, Female 30 cm. Waigeo, Batanta, and some nearby islands. Male has curved red flank plumes and a pair of prominent, long, curling, black tail- streamers. Female, Juv, Imm are chocolate- faced and with broad breast band of dull yellow that connects to yellow nape.

3 EmperorBirdofParadise Paradisaea guilielmi p. 48431–33 cm. Mid- mountain forests of the Huon Pen, mainly above the elevational range of the Raggiana and Lesser BoPs (hybridizes with both). Male has dark green crown and extensive breast- bib; the mostly white flank plumes are short and sparse. Female, Juv, Imm differ from Raggiana in that the dark face includes the entire crown; the yellow nape color extends far onto the back; and the dark iris (not yellow) at all ages.

4 BlueBirdofParadise Paradisornis rudolphi p. 484Both sexes 30 cm. Mid- mountain oak forests and regrowth. Uncommon and best located at Male’s morning calling perch or by observation at a favored fruiting tree. A dark BoP recognized by the broken white eye- ring, prominent white bill, and blue wings. Male, blue breast and blue- and- amber flank plumes; long black tail- streamers. Song is a slow, plaintive series, more nasal and higher pitched than those of a typical paradisaea: wahr wahr wahr. . . . Male sings from a high, open perch and displays near the ground in a concealed site. Female, Juv, Imm, brown breast, variably barred.

The “plumed birds of paradise” are the common and characteristic birds of paradise in lowland and hill forest, edge, and regrowth, including near human settlement.  Their songs are heard persistently through the forest: a loud WAU WAU WAU . . . and similar notes. The plumed birds can be divided into 2 groups: the 4 species with small ranges (this page) and the 3 “typical” plumed birds (next page). Males of all but the  Blue BoP display in small to large leks high in the treetops; the male Blue BoP displays  alone in the midstory.

PlaTe 99  BIRDS OF PaRaDISe— PaRaDISaeaS wITh SMall RangeS

11

22

33

44

238

Birds of New Guinea Thane Pratt & Bruce Beehler

2♂ 

2♀ 

2 

1♂ 1♀ 

1 

3♀ S

3 

3♀ NE

3♂ S

3♂ NE

1 GreaterBirdofParadise Paradisaea apoda p. 486Male 43 cm, Female 35 cm. SW NG and Aru Is. Male has yellow- and- white flank plumes; from male Lesser BoP by larger size, brown back sharply contrasting with yellow nape, and prominent blackish breast cushion. Female, Juv, Imm are entirely brown; note bright yellow eye and pale blue bill to separate it from the other large, all- brown songbirds with which is may associate. Hybridizes with Raggiana BoP at Fly R (Kiunga).

2 LesserBirdofParadise Paradisaea minor p. 485Male 32 cm. The plumed BoP of the North and West. Male has yellow- and- white flank plumes; from male Greater BoP by smaller size, yellow mantle and wing- coverts, and absence of blackish breast- cushion. Female, Juv, Imm have unique snowy white breast and belly. Hybridizes with Raggiana BoP in upper Ramu R and Huon Pen, and with Emperor BoP.

3 RaggianaBirdofParadise Paradisaea raggiana p. 48633–34 cm. E NG. Male has reddish or orange flank plumes. Female, Juv, Imm exhibit diagnostic yellowish crown and nape framing the dark face, dark brown breast, and maroon- brown belly. Subspp shown:salvadorii (S NG east to SE Pen; E Ranges) brown mantle, brick red flank plumes;augustaevictoriae (Huon and northwestern SE Pen) yellow dorsally, orange plumes.Not shown are raggiana (far SE NG) yellow mantle, reddish flank plumes and intermedia (N coast of SE NG) like previous but much yellow dorsally.

These are the iconic birds of paradise, and one— the Raggiana Bird of Paradise— is the national bird of Papua New Guinea. Each of these 3 closely related species is confined to an exclusive geographic area of mainland New Guinea. Males display in leks high in the treetops.

PlaTE 100  BIRDS OF PaRaDISE— PaRaDISaEaS wITh laRGE RaNGES

11

22

33

240

Birds of New Guinea Thane Pratt & Bruce Beehler