Paradisaea rudolphi — Details

Blue Bird-of-paradise learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Brief Summary

Biology

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Birds-of-paradise use their spectacular plumage in displays to attract mates (4). Males compete in what is known as a lekking system where they each have their own small display ground (known as a 'lek') from which to impress passing females. In part of their display, males reveal the full extent of their magnificent plumage by hanging upside down in trees and spreading their wings, whilst giving a humming call (2). These birds are mainly found in the canopy of the forest, where the majority of their diet is composed of fruit (2).
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Comprehensive Description

Description

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Birds-of-paradise are one of the most spectacular and colourful groups of birds in the world, and the blue bird-of-paradise with its stunning plumage is no exception. These birds have blue feathers on their wings, back and tail; the bill is ivory in colour and there is a white ring around the eyes (2). Males also have fine blue tail plumes with two delicate, long streamers, whilst in contrast to the dark males, females have chestnut underparts (2). During their mating display, males will give a rhythmic 'wahr...wahr...' call (2).
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Distribution

Range Description

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Paradisaea rudolphi occurs in the eastern Central Ranges of Papua New Guinea, from Mt Sisa south of Tari to the Owen Stanley range. It is patchily distributed and absent in many areas, but nowhere common2,4. Advertising males were spaced at about every 200 m along one suitable forest ridge, and 400 m along another, and three radio-tagged birds had home ranges of 5, 17 and 33 ha over c.50 days6. At another study site, males were less dense, occupying up to 100 ha, perhaps owing to the more patchy forest or the higher hunting pressure at this site7.
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Range

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Endemic to Papua New Guinea, the blue bird-of-paradise is found to the east of the Central Ranges (2).
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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
It is restricted to lower montane forest, from 1,400-1,800 m, but occasionally from 1,100-2,000 m, especially female-plumaged birds. Although displaying males usually use patches of primary forest, it may be able to survive in old secondary forest or fragmented primary forest and is often seen in forest edge and nearby disturbed areas. However, it may be excluded from more degraded habitats as a result of hunting of males and competition with the more adaptable Raggiana Bird-of-paradise P. raggiana. It is largely a canopy speciesfeeding mainly on fruit3,4,5.

Systems
  • Terrestrial
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Habitat

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Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist forest (1), usually between 1,400 and 1,800 metres above sea level (2).
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
VU
Vulnerable

Red List Criteria
C2a(i)

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2008

Assessor/s
BirdLife International

Reviewer/s
Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s
Bishop, K., Leary, T., Beehler, B.

Justification
This species's narrow elevational preference matches all-too-perfectly that of swidden gardeners, and with burgeoning human populations this bird will be extirpated from the more populous intermontane valleys. However, there are many rugged and inaccesable intermontane forests which still supoort this species, and it is therefore classified as Vulnerable.

History
  • 2004
    Vulnerable
  • 2000
    Vulnerable
  • 1996
    Vulnerable
  • 1994
    Vulnerable
  • 1988
    Near Threatened
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Status

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Classified as Vulnerable (VU - C2a) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (1), and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).
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Population

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Population
Population estimate = 2.0-10.9 individuals/km2 x 2,200 km2 (10% EOO) = 4,400-21,800, but probably best placed precautionarily in band 2,500-9,999 individuals (density extrapolated from range of estimates for male densities in Pruett-Jones and Pruett-Jones [1988], Whiteside [1998]).

Population Trend
Decreasing
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Threats

Threats

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Major Threats
The major threat is habitat loss combined with hunting for its pectoral and tail feathers1,3,4. Remaining forest is under pressure for clearance for agriculture by the increasing human population. It is poorly tolerant of secondary forest, both caused by shifting agriculture and logging, unless mixed with fragments of primary forest. However, there are still significant areas of its range which are inaccessible and largely uninhabited3,4.
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Threats

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Habitat loss is the most important threat to the survival of the blue bird-of-paradise. Much of the native forests of Papua New Guinea are being cleared to make way for agriculture and development (2) and it is likely that the already small population of these birds will become increasingly fragmented (1). The colourful feathers of these birds have traditionally been in demand and the species continues to be targeted by hunters (2).
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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II and protected by law in Papua New Guinea.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey western boundary of range. Survey historical sites in north and east of range. Estimate population densities and sizes at known sites. Investigate tolerance of secondary forest for both foraging and breeding. Research rates of forest loss in preferred altitudinal range. Monitor numbers at most accessible sites such as Ambua Lodge. Monitor trade prices and quantities. Investigate hunting levels and attitudes to control amongst hunters. Create large, locally-managed forest reserves with an enforced hunting ban. Run awareness and education programmes for landowners. Enforce existing legislation. Utilise its well-known image as a flagship species for ecotourism and conservation ventures.

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Conservation

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The blue bird-of-paradise is protected by law in Papua New Guinea and international trade is restricted by its listing on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (2). More research into the distribution of these beautiful birds is required in order to accurately gauge the risk currently facing their population (1).
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Wikipedia

Blue Bird-of-paradise

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The Blue Bird-of-paradise, (Paradisaea rudolphi), is a medium-sized bird-of-paradise.

Regarded by some ornithologists as the loveliest of all birds, the Blue Bird-of-paradise was discovered by Carl Hunstein in 1884. The scientific name commemorates the ill-fated Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range, small population size and, in some areas, by hunting for its highly prized plumes, the rare Blue Bird-of-paradise is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

Contents

Description

Appearance

The species is approximately 30 cm long, black with a bluish-white bill, dark brown iris, grey legs, broken white eye-ring and bright blue wings. The male is adorned with violet blue and cinnamon flank plumes and two long ribbon-like tail feathers. The female has a chestnut brown below.

Courtship Display

The male is polygamous and performs a breathtaking courtship display. But unlike all other Paradisaea species, he performs solitary with 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.

Distribution

The Blue Bird-of-paradise is endemic to Papua New Guinea. It is distributed to mountain forests of southeastern New Guinea. ITIS recognizes only one subspecies (P. r. rudolphi, but additional subspecies P. r. margaritae and P. r. ampla have been described.

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