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Paradisaea apoda
Largest of the Birds of paradise (BOPS) at 43cm for males and 35cm females. Females are a plain dark brown with a yellow eye. Males are stunning especially in display. Body mainly dark brown head bright yellow with diagnostic sharp contrast at the nape. Green throat, a black cushion on the upper breast and tail brown with two long plumes. Flanks have an abundant mass of yellow and white fine plumes.
Found mainly in New Guinea, there are several leks (breeding display areas) in the south west of PNG. This particular lek is near Kiunga on the Fly River. For the sake of security I have not put an exact location of this lek.
Due to the habit of these birds displaying high up in the canopy, and late in the day, it is quite hard for ground based photography but I hope the images will give an idea of the spectacle these birds put on. Due to increased pressure in the illegal trade of feathers this species is being put under a lot of stress with numbers decreasing.
6 Comments
Thank you Muckpuk. These birds were stunning.
Wow gorgeous!
Thank you for your comment Polilla and I am so sorry I missed it and taken so long to respond. Yes these birds are just incredible!
Thank you Jason and Felix for your comments. Watching these birds displaying was just incredible and right up there with some of the most memorable moments in my amateur naturalist career.
I'm so jealous right now! Great spotting.
Really pretty!