Western Parotia

The western or Arfak parotia (Parotia sefilata) is a medium-sized, approximately 33 cm long, bird-of-paradise with a medium-length tail. Like other birds-of-paradise, the western parotia is sexually dimorphic. The male has jet black plumage, with striking iridescent scale-like golden-green breast shields and triangular silver feathers on its crown. The occipital plumes (or head wires) arise from above and behind the eyes, with three long erectile wire-like plumes with smaller spatulate tips, above and behind each eye. As with most members of the family, the female is unadorned and has brown plumage. The species is similar to Lawes's parotia (Parotia lawesii).