Meet The Lesser Bird Of Paradise - A Magnificent Species Covered In Gold And Emerald Green
Have you ever seen the lesser bird of paradise? I'm not sure why it has the word "lesser" because when you take one look at it, you'll fall in love and be mesmerized by its beauty!
Scientifically known as Paradisaea minor, these 32 cm long birds are mostly found in Papua New Guinea, Misool, and Yapen. Male birds have deep maroon feathers, a bright yellow crown, a frost blue beak, and a buff upper back.
Their throats are stunning emerald green, and to add to their beauty, a pair of long tail wires and elongated flank plumes complete their look. The females, on the other hand, have deep maroon feathers, a brown head, and a pearly white belly.
Young birds, regardless of gender, look more like females than males. The lesser birds of paradise prefer to stay in rainforests and swamp forests due to the humidity and ample food supply.
Although they can easily adapt to different environments, they prefer to be at altitudes of 1,550 meters. Their diet mainly consists of fruits and arthropods.
When it comes to breeding, the season starts in July and ends in February. The male bird woos the female by putting on the best display, and if the female is impressed, she begins building a strong nest from sticks, twigs, fallen leaves, and vines.
The nest is placed about six meters from the ground and is fastened to the tree using plant fibers and roots. The female then lays 1-2 eggs, incubates them for about 20 days, and cares for the young after they hatch.
Females are known to lay up to 12 eggs, and being a one-woman army, she alone cares for her young. Here are more facts about the stunning lesser bird of paradise!
Males are polygamous and court females in leks!
A single lek can have up to 12 adult males or a combination of juveniles and adults, all with the single aim of impressing the female. Older males occupy the center of the lek.
They're mostly hunted by snakes, owls, and hawks.
Although their population is declining, they're not endangered. According to experts, they're not globally threatened.
They're solitary birds who come together only during mating.
The average lifespan of these birds is five to eight years.
Juvenile nestlings leave the nest about 20 days after hatching.
Although these birds are tolerant, their temperament can change if their territory is invaded.
They use a series of high-pitched "wak" sounds to communicate with each other. Their long notes include "wik-wong-wau-wau."
Listen to the majesty of the lesser bird of paradise below:
Although they're not poisonous, these birds prefer to be left alone. They're not harmful as long as they're not threatened in any way. According to Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, "Animals, like humans, thrive in environments where they feel safe and unthreatened," which underscores the importance of respecting their natural habitat. These birds survive best in the wild and in some zoos with special conditions to meet their living preferences; thus, they're not pets and shouldn't be caged at home. As Dr. John Hattie, an education researcher, notes, "Understanding the needs of any creature is essential for their well-being." That said, there's no way you'd consider this bird any lesser than its counterpart - the greater bird of paradise!
H/T: Dr. Susan David, Dr. John Hattie
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