Giving the Birds-of-Paradise the symbolic connection to an elaborate and even sometimes vain performer. With Papua New Guinea home to all but a handful of the Bird-of-Paradise species, the development of symbolic meaning begins there and has traveled around the world ever since Europeans discovered their beauty in the highland jungles.Ī dedication to beauty and extravagance in their courtship dance rituals has evolved in many of these species. The most extraordinary and the most beautiful of the feathered inhabitants of the earth - Alfred Russel Wallace, 19th Century Naturalist ( 8) Source: Trevor Andersen, Creative Commons. On this pageīird of Paradise Native New Guinea Symbolismīird of Paradise Symbolism and Meaning A Paradise Riflebird ( Ptiloris paradiseus) pauses for a brief moment while searching for insects. Many still remain threatened today due to hunting and habitat loss. By the late 19th century, despite many Birds-of-Paradise being on the way to decimation, the feather trade for Europe’s elite continued even until the early 20th century where approximately 50,000 birds were being hunted each year ( 7).
The first Bird-of-Paradise skin to reach Europe is thought to have been in 1522 and it wasn’t long until the demand for more of these illustrious birds took hold ( 6). They were named so as they somewhat resembled an early-day British rifleman’s uniform and some of the species call is like the prolonged ‘hiss’ of a bullet soaring through the air ( 5). The five species of the long-tailed Birds-of-Paradise, genus Astrapia, are also an incredible sight – the males have shining black, iridescent feathers and long graduated tails of black and white feathers that can total in length of 31 to 45 inches (80-115cm).Īnother stunning group are the riflebirds, with their shimmering metallic neck feathers of turquoise. Another notable species is the Superb Bird-of-Paradise ( Lophorina superba) which has an incredible spreading breast shield and a cap that turns into a head-fan. This grouping includes the famous Greater Bird-of-Paradise ( Paradisaea apoda), the largest bird within this group who dons the notable white and yellow tail plumage. Of all the species, 35 are polygamous and tend to have elaborate feathers and dance rituals, while the remaining few are monogamous and are less colourful ( 3).Īmong the most notable of the Birds-of-Paradise are the plumebirds ( 4) – the seven species of Paradisaea sp. However, within the Paradisaeidae family there is significant diversity with not all species exhibiting these traits and behaviours. In these mating rituals that always occur in the same place known as a lek, males will repeatedly jump from one branch to another or hang upside down to show off their lovely tail plumes. These Birds-of-Paradise are known for their colourful, long and elaborate feathers and fascinating courtship dance performances. Map of distribution of iconic Birds-of-Paradise species from National Geographic magazine, December 2012 issue, Photos by Tim Laman. They are small to medium-sized birds that can only be found in the dense tropical forests of Eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands as well as in far northeastern Australia. Of all the species, the undeniable homeland of the Birds-of-Paradise, with 38 of these species being found on the island of New Guinea, many exclusively ( 2). People who connect with the Birds-of-Paradise are at home in the spotlight and naturally draw attention to themselves with their attractiveness and outspoken nature – as the birds themselves do so with their enchanting dance rituals.Ī Bird-of-Paradise is actually any one of the 45 species ( 1) within the Family Paradisaeidae which come under the Order Passeriformes – the perching birds or songbirds. These birds have been used to symbolise power – especially in competition, bravery and invulnerability, affluence, and even sexuality and fertility. They have been sought after for centuries because of their iridescent colour schemes and extravagantly long feathers that have been used decoratively and ceremonially by various cultures. The name says it all, Birds-of-Paradise are colourful, exotic creatures that have been considered a direct gift from God and the heavens.