2013 Bonanza Bird #19: King Bird-of-paradise

July 19, 2013 in Birdorable Bonanza 2013 and Birds-of-Paradise with 6 comments

We're adding one new bird each day until we reach our 500th Birdorable species on the last day of July. Today's Bonanza bird is the King Bird-of-paradise.

The King Bird-of-paradise is the smallest of the bird-of-paradise family. It lives in Papau New Guinea and on outlying islands. Males are stunning with red body plumage, a white chest, blue feet, and long green-tipped tail feathers that extend nearly five inches from end to end. All male birds-of-paradise have remarkable colorful plumage and special feathers that they use in dances or other rituals in order to attract females. This short video shows a male King Bird-of-paradise performing part of its dance.

King Bird-of-Paradise video copyright Cornell Lab of Ornithology

If you'd like to see more King Bird-of-paradise action, check out this video from the Smithsonian: Dancers on Fire: King Bird-of-Paradise. It includes a female King Bird-of-paradise, so you can clearly see that the species is sexually dimorphic (males and females have different plumage).

Tomorrow's new Bonanza bird makes a sound like another animal, and that's how it got its name. bonanza-2013-preview-20

Comments

Dominic Morrell on July 19, 2013 at 11:40 AM wrote:

Grey Catbird?

nuthatches are awesome on July 19, 2013 at 9:14 PM wrote:

Gray Catbird

Louise Warner on February 23, 2017 at 4:21 PM wrote:

grey catbird

Spurwing Plover on May 22, 2022 at 5:27 PM wrote:

Riflebird

Spurwing Plover on June 4, 2022 at 7:08 AM wrote:

Dose his Dance upside down

Spurwing Plover on February 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM wrote:

Beware or he'll fly up your nose

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

2013 Bonanza Bird #28: Hawfinch

July 28, 2013

We're adding new birds each day until we reach our 500th Birdorable species! Today's Bonanza bird is the Hawfinch. Look at that massive bill! Hawfinches are bulky birds, with large heads and stout bodies. Their large finch beaks have a metallic look to them....

2020 Bonanza Bird #19

Introducing the Birdorable Australian Pelican: The Bird with the World's Largest Beak

December 12, 2020

Today’s new species breeds in Australia with a winter range that extends to nearby islands, including New Guinea, Fiji, and Indonesia: the Australian Pelican. The Australian Pelican has a white body plumage, mostly black wings, and an enormous beak. At up to nearly...

Happy Cinco de Mayo

May 5, 2015

Today is Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrated on May 5th in the United States and Mexico. Do you recognize all the birds in this picture? These birds can be found in Mexico. They are from top-left: Green Kingfisher, Green Jay, Black-crested Titmouse, Broad-tailed Hummingbird,

2020 Bonanza Bird #15

Asia's Feathered Gem: Introducing the Birdorable Red-billed Blue-Magpie

December 7, 2020

The Red-billed Blue-Magpie, scientifically known as Urocissa erythroryncha, is a beautiful member of the corvid family. These striking birds are primarily found in various parts of Asia, where their vibrant plumage and distinctive features make them a true marvel of nature. One of...

Birdorable Blog