Blue Bird-of-Paradise Paradisaea rudolphi ‎

Regarded by some ornithologists as the loveliest of all birds, the Blue Bird-of-paradise was discovered by Carl Hunstein in 1884 and its scientific name commemorates the ill-fated Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria (His 1889 death, a suicide, after murdering his 17 year old mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, made international headlines, fueled international conspiracy rumours and ultimately may have sealed the long-term fate of the Habsburg monarchy—plus he looks a little like Ryan Gosling).

d28a2b7cd1cb6635d6461add2a4c930f.png

Oh, back to the bird…

64067c0b372b566916d28c99566a4078.png

The Blue Bird-of-paradise is endemic to Papua New Guinea. It is distributed through the mountain forests of southeastern New Guinea.

38028a906ee661edd6427ca49ff546f3.png

The male is polygamous and performs a breathtaking courtship display. But unlike all other Paradisaea species, he performs solitary with an attending female nearby. In display, the male hangs from a branch upside down. The black oval with red margin at the centre of his chest is rhythmically enlarged and contracted. His violet blue plumes spread out in a fan, swaying its body back and forth while the central tail feathers form two impressive arches down to either side. Throughout his performance he vocalizes softly in a low but harsh vibrating voice.

158b8d0d35399ac6f9a6cf0d45c05b0c.png

2c6f7eb709f6227172dfa2de5de466cd.png

41aa6fd229f79cfd8b52a5f8bb43a590.png

Tim Lamon one of the top wildlife photographers in the world, and the premier photographer of these elusive birds.

Related Posts

“Mother, Please Save Me!” – The Gripping Tale of a Baby Elephant’s Plunge into dапɡeгoᴜѕ Waters and Call for Help

During a critical moment, a baby elephant encountered a perilous situation when it ѕɩіррed and feɩɩ into a prominent river. This іпсіdeпt underscored the deeр bond between humans and wildlife, emphasizing the ргeѕѕіпɡ need for collaborative efforts to …

Elephants Delight Crowds by Smashing and Snacking on Giant Pumpkins (VIDEO)

In a spectacle reminiscent of the Halloween classic ‘Monster Mash,’ a family of elephants recently delighted onlookers by stomping on and devouring over 1,200 pounds of pumpkins. But did you know just how much a typical elephant weighs? Thanks to the …

Heartwarming гeѕсᴜe: Baby Elephant and Two Ostriches Saved by Dedicated Efforts in Africa

A team of committed conservationists embarked on a deeply emotional mission to гeѕсᴜe a dіѕtгeѕѕed baby elephant and two ostriches in a remote wildlife sanctuary located in…

Ingenious Elephants Dig Life Saving Wells for Water (VIDEO)

As the sun scorches the Serengeti Plain during the harsh dry season, finding water and food becomes a daily challenge for the animals. The latest episode of Serengeti 3 , narrated by Adjoa Andoh, offers a captivating and insightful glimpse into the survival …

Heartwarming Video of Baby Elephant’s Tender Naptime Moment Captivates the World

In a touching display of affection, a baby elephant has won hearts globally through a captivating video showcasing its endearing charm. This heartwarming footage highlights the gentle…

Lioness Takes to Tree as fᴜгіoᴜѕ Elephant Asserts domіпапсe

In a tһгіɩɩіпɡ eпсoᴜпteг on the vast Serengeti savannah, an extгаoгdіпагу рoweг ѕtгᴜɡɡɩe unfolded as a lioness was сһаѕed up a tree by an enraged elephant. The lioness made a гіѕkу move by entering the elephant’s territory, prompting the massive grey …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *