Bird-of-paradise

Birds-of-paradise are passerine birds in the family Paradisaeidae, native mainly to New Guinea and nearby islands. Many species are known for elaborate plumage and courtship displays.

Sexual selection: A form of natural selection in which traits spread because they improve access to mates. Female mate choice has favored the elaborate ornaments and displays found in many species.
Passerine: A bird in the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of living bird species. Birds-of-paradise belong to the largest order of birds.
Alfred Russel Wallace: A British naturalist who independently developed the theory of evolution by natural selection. Wallace studied birds-of-paradise in the Malay Archipelago and described several species.
Birdwatching: The observation of wild birds for recreation or study. Birds-of-paradise are sought-after subjects for observation in New Guinea.
Bowerbird: A passerine bird in the family Ptilonorhynchidae, known for males’ courtship bowers and displays. Bowerbirds also use elaborate courtship, but build structures rather than relying chiefly on plumage.
Bird-of-paradise courtship: The courtship behaviors birds-of-paradise use to attract and assess potential mates. Display routines show how plumage, posture, movement, and sound work together.
Paradisaeidae: The taxonomic family comprising all birds-of-paradise. This family name identifies the group and its recognized species.
Wallace's standardwing: A bird-of-paradise species native to the North Maluku islands of Indonesia. Wallace described this distinctive species during his travels in the region.
Bird-of-paradise trade: The historical and modern commerce in birds-of-paradise, their feathers, and related products. Demand for plumes shaped hunting pressure and international regulation.
Manucode: A genus of birds-of-paradise whose species generally have less extravagant plumage than many family members. Manucodes show the family’s range beyond its most spectacularly ornamented species.

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