Birds of Paradise Facts & Worksheets

Birds of paradise are found in the forests of New Guinea, eastern Australia, and other Indonesian islands. The bird-of-paradise has an estimated number of 44 species in total. Males are flamboyant as they have bright plumage and often a colorful appearance.

See the fact file below for more information on Birds-of-paradise, or you can download our 25-page Birds-of-paradise worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Historical Background

• The origin of the bird-of-paradise dates back to prehistoric times when ancestors of the birds evolved from other species. Europeans first discovered them in New Guinea, which led to their identification as a single species and referred to as the New Guinea parrot. They have been popular exotic pets since the 19th century. 
• The first Europeans to see birds-of-paradise were members of an expedition led by Dutch explorer Willem Dafoe, who arrived in what is now Indonesia in 1623. The local people, long aware of these birds, had already given them a variety of names, but the Europeans were astonished by their beauty and uniqueness. 
• Birds-of-paradise became popular in Europe soon after they were first seen there. They were often kept as exotic pets by wealthy people, and their feathers were used to decorate clothing and other items.
• The first European to see the bird-of-paradise was the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. 
• Birds-of-paradise are closely related to parrots and were initially thought to be parrots. Carl Linnaeus wrote the first scientific description of the bird-of-paradise in the eighteenth century. He described them as a new genus, Paradisaea, which means ‘paradise’ in French. 
• They are known for their elaborate mating dances, which can last up to an hour and a half.

Behavior

• The bird-of-paradise species can be monogamous, meaning that a single bird will only mate with one other individual. This means that the male bird does not take care of its offspring and can mate with more than one female. 
• They are one of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom and use tools to get food and branches to build their nests.
• Another characteristic shared by all birds-of-paradise is their diet. These birds mainly eat fruits and insects such as grasshoppers and cicadas. 
• There are over 90 species of birds in the family Paradisaeidae. The most notable is the Greater Bird-of-Paradise, which is found in New Guinea. The Lesser Bird-of-Paradise, found in Australia, has been called “the most spectacular avian display” by some researchers.

Appearance

• Birds-of-paradise are the largest in the genus Paradisaea and are classified in the family Paradisaeidae.  
• Birds-of-paradise are known for their vibrant beaks, plumes and a wide variety of plumage colors, including blue, green, red, orange, purple, and yellow.
• The males have brightly colored plumage with some species having elongated plumes that can grow up to six feet long. Females are usually more drab, but they also have their own unique beauty.
• Males often have long tails or other ornamental feathers that they use to attract mates during their elaborate courtship rituals. 
• They are well-known for being sexually dimorphic. Species that are sexually dimorphic exhibit huge differences in their characteristics and appearance.

Mating Rituals

• The male bird-of-paradise engages in a lek mating system in which they compete in a courtship ritual to entice females.
• The males of most species perform an intricate dance to impress potential mates. This dance is frequently accompanied by loud calls, which attract the female’s attention from a distance.
• The male will also display his colorful feathers to their fullest extent to dazzle the female. Sometimes, the male will even build an impressive nest or bower to attract a mate.

Habitat

• The bird-of-paradise can be found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia, typically in tropical rainforests.
• Their habitat is important to their survival. They need a large area of forest where they can find sufficient food and shelter. There must also be a good supply of insects for them to eat. If their habitat is destroyed or damaged, it can be difficult for them to find new homes because there are so few suitable places left in the world for them to live. 
• These areas have high rainfall and various types of trees that provide food and shelter for the birds. The understory is often dense with vines and other plants that make it difficult to see the ground. This dense vegetation provides places for the males to build their display courts and also protects the nests from predators such as snakes, rats, and lizards.

Threats

• The main threats to birds-of-paradise are climate change, deforestation and the hunting of these birds for their feathers. Deforestation causes the loss and reduction of their food sources. Hunting reduces the population, which can lead to extinction.
• Climate change has become a significant factor in contributing stress to the birds because of the continuous changes in rainfall patterns, which affects the plant and insect populations that are crucial to their survival.

Cultural Importance

• The Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise is popularly known as an emblem on the Papua New Guinea flag.
• Birds-of-paradise have played an important role in the culture of Papua New Guinea for a long time. These incredible birds are used as symbols to identify clans, as adornments for rituals such as funerals, and as decorations at weddings. 
• The cultural importance of birds-of-paradise is that they are a symbol of beauty and freedom. They represent the idea that there is always hope for something better, even if it seems like all hope is lost.

Other Bird of Paradise Species

• The different species of birds-of-paradise vary in size, coloration, and plumage. Here are some examples of other species.
• Greater bird-of-paradise – This species, Paradisaea apoda, is the most well-known bird-of-paradise. It is black with a long tail and yellow breast plumes that can be up to 35 cm (14 inches) long. 

• Lesser bird-of-paradise – Known as Paradisaea minor, it is similar in appearance to the greater bird-of-paradise but smaller and with red breast plumes instead of yellow ones.
• Wilson’s bird-of-paradise – Known as Paradisaea rubra, is a bird-of-paradise species native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. It is the largest species in the world, with the males measuring up to 6 feet in height and the females up to 3 feet. The wingspan of a female is around 2 feet. The males have bright red feathers on their wings and tail, while the females are dull red.
• Lesser bird-of-paradise – Known as Paradisaea minor, it is similar in appearance to the greater bird-of-paradise but smaller and with red breast plumes instead of yellow ones.
• Wilson’s bird-of-paradise – Known as Paradisaea rubra, is a bird-of-paradise species native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. It is the largest species in the world, with the males measuring up to 6 feet in height and the females up to 3 feet. The wingspan of a female is around 2 feet. The males have bright red feathers on their wings and tail, while the females are dull red.
• King bird-of-paradise – This is the largest bird-of-paradise species, with the males measuring up to 6 feet in height and the females up to 3 feet. The wingspan of a female is around 2 feet. Males have bright red feathers on their wings and tail, while females are dull red. They are both found in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, but the king bird of paradise is a brighter color than the other species.
• Raggiana bird-of-paradise – Belonging to the heron family, it is found in sub-Saharan Africa. The Raggiana bird-of-paradise was first described by Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer, in 1911. It is found in two different areas: in the northeast of Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Red bird-of-paradise – The scarlet-colored bird-of-paradise is one of the most widespread and distinctive of all the birds in the world. It is also a species of special interest because, unlike other birds-of- paradise, it is a social species, so it lives in non-island groups and uses distinctive communication calls.
• Ribbon-tailed Astrapia – The Ribbon-tailed Astrapia is native to New Guinea and nearby islands. It is the largest bird-of-paradise species in the world, with a wingspan of up to seven feet. The males are adorned with iridescent feathers and have long, flowing plumes on their tails. The females are drabber but have elaborate feathers on their wings and backs.

Birds of Paradise Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Birds-of-Paradise across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Birds-of-Paradise, which are found in the forests of New Guinea, eastern Australia, and other Indonesian islands.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Birds of Paradise Facts
2. Fact or Bluff?
3. Guess the Species
4. Word Puzzle
5. How Much Do You Know?
6. Stop the Threat!
7. Complete the Paragraph
8. Color My Features
9. Sexual Dimorphism
10. The Intricate Dance
11. Famous Bird-of-Paradise

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