The Wilson’
bird of paradise (cicinnurus respublica) is a species of passerine bird belongs
to Paradisaeidae family, lives on the hill and lowland rainforests of Waigeo
and Batanta islands in West Papua Indonesia, where it reported to be
frequent in suitable habitat. The exotic bird
has the unique outlook with striking scarlet, yellow, green and blue plumage,
specially, the turquoise dome of Wilson' bird of paradise is hairless. It's
just bare skin and two long curved tail feathers also play a vital role in
helping the males attract partners. The male bird looks more colorful as
compare to females, which has light brown plumage with dark blue dome. The male
bird entice to female by clean the leaves or debris to make their own stages in
forest. Wilson's bird-of-paradise is small, up to 21 cm long, can reach
6.3 inches in length and 1.8 to 2.2 ounces of weight. The blue
bare skin on the crown of the bird's head is so vivid that it is clearly
visible by night; the deep scarlet back and velvet green breast are lush, the
curlicue tail gleaming bright silver. The bird mating season of Wilson's
bird of paradise takes place two times per year: from May to June and in
October.
The bird
habitually passing from branch to branch on the flat ground by bending their body
in different postures, spreading the colorful iridescent plumage and chirping.
The male bird shake head lean neck or turn up tail and open their mouths in
front of female to entice their partner.
The bird is discovered in 1850 when its courtship dance was recorded by
the famous naturalist David Attenborough in the wild. The Wilson's
bird-of-paradise diet is consists mainly of fruits, small insects and arthropods.
The name "Wilson's bird of paradise" is coined by Napoleon's nephew
who described unidentified bird that was purchased by British naturalist Edward
Wilson.
Moreover, this
is a poorly known species and no population estimates are available. Due to continue habitat loss, this species occurs within a very
small range, and is likely to have a moderately small population, the bird is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. The rate of decline is not thought to be more rapid
as this species apparently persists in selectively logged forest. Hunting for
skins may also contribute to the decline. The BBC
cameraman David Attenborough first time filmed his unusual behavior in 1996 by
dropping leaves on the forest floor, which irritated the bird into clearing
them away. With the impressive colorful plumage, Wilson's bird of paradise is
considered the world's most beautiful bird. Source: Charismatic Planet
