Princess Stephanie's Astrapia

In the verdant canopies of Papua New Guinea's Bird's Tail Peninsula, one may encounter the splendid Stephanie's astrapia, a bird-of-paradise with a striking appearance. The males, resplendent with long, glossy black central tail feathers, can reach a length of approximately 84 cm, a testament to their grandeur. Their plumage is a kaleidoscope of iridescence, with hues ranging from greenish-blue to indigo on the head and back, and a shimmering aqua to greenish-blue on the upper breast. A narrow band of coppery-red to orange-red adds a fiery contrast, while the rest of the underparts may appear as a dull coppery-red or black, depending on the light. Females, in contrast, are clad in more subdued tones of dark brown, with a blackish head and upper breast, and a long, blackish tail.

Identification Tips

To identify the male Stephanie's astrapia, look for the iridescent greenish-blue head, the long central tail feathers, and the unique coppery-red band beneath the black chest feathers. Females can be recognized by their dark brown plumage with black-barred, cinnamon-brown underparts.

Habitat

This species thrives in the montane forests of its native peninsula, where it flits among the treetops.

Distribution

Stephanie's astrapia is endemic to Papua New Guinea, specifically the Bird's Tail Peninsula.

Behaviour

These birds are often solitary feeders but may occasionally join other birds-of-paradise or avian species. Males exhibit a polygynous nature and engage in lekking behavior during courtship.

Song & Calls

The males' calls, used to attract females to their display perches, are an integral part of their courtship rituals.

Breeding

Breeding may occur from May to July, though it can happen year-round. Males display in small groups, vying for the attention of females, who are solely responsible for nest-building and chick-rearing.

Similar Species

The ribbon-tailed astrapia shares many features with Stephanie's astrapia, but can be distinguished by its unique tail feather ornamentation.

Diet and Feeding

Stephanie's astrapia has a diet consisting predominantly of fruit, particularly from the genus Heptapleurum, supplemented by animal prey such as frogs, insects, spiders, and skinks.

Conservation status

The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is listed on Appendix II of CITES, reflecting a stable population within its range.