Satinbirds

The Satinbirds, or Cnemophilidae, are a small family of four species of passerine birds found in New Guinea's mountain forests. Originally mistaken for birds-of-paradise, genetic evidence now suggests they're likely closer to berry peckers, longbills, or even cuckoo-shrikes. They're named from the Greek for mountain-loving, reflecting their habitat preferences. Each species exhibits striking colors: the red satinbird males are reddish orange with dark underparts and a purplish crest; female red satinbirds are olive brown with paler underbellies. Male yellow satinbirds display brilliant yellow plumage, while their female counterparts are brownish-olive with lighter underparts. Loria's satinbird males are black with metallic hints and iridescent feathers, and females are olive greenish. The male yellow-breasted satinbird sports reddish-olive and yellow gold coloring with unique blue wattles above the bill, with females being rufous brown above and cream below. Despite their brilliant plumage, satinbirds have weak feet and wide gapes, and they prefer densely forested mountain regions. They build domed nests, and females solely tend to their single egg. Satinbirds' diet is exclusively fruit-based, a trait present even from a young age.