Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Blue Bird-of-paradise

Paradisornis rudolphi

The blue bird-of-paradise, Paradisornis rudolphi, stands as a testament to nature's flair for the dramatic. This large bird-of-paradise, the sole representative of its genus, is often celebrated as one of the most spectacular avian species on the planet. Males are adorned with magnificent flank feathers and distinctive long tail wires, a visual feast unique to their sex.

Identification Tips

Males of this species boast a glossy black body contrasted by silver-white crescents around the eyes, a feature shared with females. Their crow-like bill is a pale grey, and the head and mantle shimmer with a reddish gloss. The wings and tail are a resplendent blue, varying in hue from light to aqua. The male's most striking attributes are the elongated, silky flank plumes, amber on top and light blue beneath, and the elongated tail wires tipped with white spatules. Females, while lacking the male's ornate plumes and wires, share the vibrant blue wings and tail but have a chestnut-brown underside with black barring.

Habitat

The blue bird-of-paradise inhabits the lush rainforests of New Guinea, favoring the canopy where it can forage and display.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the island of New Guinea, with two recognized subspecies: P. r. margaritae in east-central New Guinea and P. r. rudolphi in the southeast.

Behaviour

The blue bird-of-paradise is a solitary feeder, with females and juveniles occasionally joining other birds or species in the canopy. They forage at higher altitudes for fruits and descend to lower levels when hunting animal prey.

Song & Calls

During courtship displays, males produce a soft, insect-like buzzing interspersed with chittering sounds to maintain the attention of the female.

Breeding

Males perform a solitary and mesmerizing courtship display, hanging upside down and showcasing their blue plumes and tail wires in a fan-like arrangement. Females solely undertake nesting and rearing duties, constructing the nest and fiercely protecting their brood.

Similar Species

The blue bird-of-paradise can be confused with other Paradisaea species, but its unique coloration and display features set it apart.

Diet and Feeding

This species primarily consumes fruits such as figs, drupes, and berries, but also supplements its diet with insects and small vertebrates like reptiles.

Conservation Status

The blue bird-of-paradise is classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss, hunting for its plumes, and a declining population estimated between 2,500 to 10,000 individuals. It is listed in Appendix II of CITES.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Blue Bird-of-paradises on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
🐒
Vaidhussen Acbarly
02 Oct 2024 - 7:16pm
Indonesia

More Birds-of-paradise

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.