Say Hello To The Paradise Riflebird, A Creature With Brilliant Colors That Shine With A Metallic Sheen

These birds dance beautifully, too.

May

• Published in Animal Stories
• November 10, 2021

The paradise rifle bird is among the world's most exotic birds. Also known as Victoria's riflebird, it was named after the late queen of the United Kingdom.

These birds are solitary. They are also known for the dance they do.

Their distribution range goes from Australia's eastern forests to Queensland. These medium-sized feathered creatures belong to the birds of paradise.

They live in the foothills of Queensland and New South Wales, where they occupy rainforests.

The range map of the paradise riflebird includes temperate and subtropical rainforests. They usually breed in wet and dry sclerophyll woods.

They also live in mountains and the nearby eucalypt forests, which is also among their homes. Elevation-wise, they can be spotted between 200 meters and 500 meters.

When winter comes, they can be found at sea levels. Since they inhabit areas near rainforests, they potentially can become endangered because of rainforest destruction.

Generally speaking, they are not territorial. When it's the start of the breeding season, you can see them in pairs, and the females are not usually seen in groups of 5 or 6 when foraging.

On average, they have a short lifespan of five years. But if they're in the wild, they can live up to eight years old.

Today, let's learn about the paradise riflebird (Lophorina paradisea)

The breeding season of these species start in September and ends in the middle of February. Males impress their potential mates through a courtship display.

When the male bird wants to mate, it spreads its wings like a fan and dance gracefully, flaunting the lustrous green-blue shade of their feathers. It performs small hops that sync perfectly with the movement of its head.

It is said that paradise riflebirds have a dark color to make their shimmering patches inconspicuous when they perform for females. When the female bird likes the courtship display it responds to the male.

These birds are creative when it comes to building their nests.

They design their bowl-shaped nests using leaves, twigs, moss, orchids and shed snakeskin. Females take care of the young by themselves, without help from other birds.

The incubation period is about 16 to 20 days, then a 20-day feeding period comes after it. The well-nourished young will then leave the nest.

When it comes to the distribution range, these species are common. That's why the IUCN classifies them as Least Concern.

Sadly, their population has been decreasing. Experts estimate that their numbers will lower by 30% in the next three generations.

Paradise Riflebirds are calm, non-aggressive birds. Therefore, they are not dangerous to humans.

Do not keep riflebirds as pets. Let them live in their natural habitat.

They will not thrive in our environment. Since they are commonly hunted in great numbers, their numbers are already decreasing.

Want to see a paradise riflebird's dance? Watch the video below.

More interesting facts about the paradise riflebird

As mentioned before, these birds adorn their nests with snakeskin. It's not just for decorative purposes.

These species also use it to ward away birds who are attempting to harm the chicks. It is also used for preventing birds from stealing nests.

A recent study notes that paradise riflebirds displayed in museums are mostly males, and this is likely because of their beautiful feathers and wings. Sadly their most defining feature is the reason why they are being hunted.

H/T: OneBirdCage

May