Red Bird-of-paradise

Overview

The red bird-of-paradise, or cendrawasih merah, is a Near Threatened species in the family Paradisaeidae. It is an Indonesian endemic found in the lowland rainforests of the Raja Ampat archipelago.

Identification

• Males are up to 72 cm long including ornamental plumes, while females are smaller and lack these structures.
• Plumage features a brown and yellow body with a dark brown iris, grey legs, and a yellow bill.
• Males possess an emerald green face, dark green feather pompoms above the eyes, and elongated black corkscrew-shaped tail wires.
• A train of glossy crimson red plumes with whitish tips adorns the sides of the male's breast.

Habitat

An endemic of Indonesia, this species resides in the lowland rainforests of Waigeo and Batanta islands within Raja Ampat, West Papua. It shares this habitat with the Wilson's bird-of-paradise, though hybridisation between the two has not been recorded.

Diet

The diet consists mainly of fruits, berries, and arthropods.

Did you know?

The red bird-of-paradise is featured on the front side of the 1992 edition of the Indonesian 20000 Rupiah banknote.