Fun Lesser Bird Of Paradise Facts For Kids

There are a total of 42 species in the bird of paradise family. The majority of the species from this family are found in New Guinea and eastern Australia.

The lesser bird-of-paradise is one among them. They are often confused with the greater bird-of-paradise however they are different species from the same family. They are not threatened and are widespread and commonly seen in the wild.

These birds also lend their name to the crane flower. They appear to be majestic beings and tuned performers and easily attract the attention of all those who see them.

They feed primarily on fruits and small invertebrates. They are a must-see for every person interested in birdwatching, as well as others. The males of the species are more brightly colored compared to the females.

This article will take a look at some fun and interesting facts about the lesser bird of paradise family. If you liked this article, please check out eastern kingbird facts and palm warbler facts.

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Lesser Bird of Paradise Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Lesser Bird of Paradise?

The lesser bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea minor, is a type of bird and is unique and beautiful.

What class of animal does a Lesser Bird of Paradise belong to?

The lesser bird-of-paradise is a type of bird that belongs to the class Aves, family Paradisaeidae, and genus Paradisaea.

How many Lesser Birds of Paradise are there in the world?

Lesser bird-of-paradise populations have been said to be in decline, however, the decrease is not alarming when compared to various other threatened species.

Where does a Lesser Bird of Paradise live?

Lesser birds of paradise live in tropical rainforests, swamps, hill forests, lowland areas, and wetlands. They are seen resting on the branches of trees and, given their colorful pattern and design, they are easily identifiable.

What is a Lesser Bird of Paradise's habitat?

Lesser birds of paradise adjust to various habitats including swamps, hill forests, lowland areas, lek trees, and wetlands. They live in elevations of up to 5,000ft (1,500m). They feed on invertebrates and fruits and reside in forest regions in proximity to their food.

Who do Lesser Birds of Paradise live with?

Lesser birds of paradise are solitary birds, however, during the mating season, some fights may occur when they come together for mating. Males of the species are polygynous, which means they mate with more than one female.

How long does a Lesser Bird of Paradise live?

The average lifespan of a lesser bird of paradise is five to eight years. This depends on various factors like their diet and habitat among others.

How do they reproduce?

The mating season begins between July and February. Females build nests with random objects which help sustain and keep the nest together.

They build nests in a tree high above the ground. The internal part of the nest consists of vegetable fibers and other materials.

Males and females have territorial fights during the mating season and males mate with multiple females hence the pair is not monogamous. They also have various courtship displays. Details on the displays of the lesser birds of paradise include that they showcase their great physical attributes to attract possible mates.

After mating the female lays one to two eggs that are pinkish with dark markings. The eggs are incubated for a period of 18-20 days and the juvenile nestlings leave their nest 18-19 days after hatching.

What is their conservation status?

The lesser bird of paradise, Paradisaea minor, is classified as of Least Concern by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).

Lesser Bird of Paradise Fun Facts

What do Lesser Birds of Paradise look like?

Female birds of paradise are largely maroon with a dark brown head and whitish underparts. Adult males have a dark emerald green throat along with long-tail wires adorned with ornamental plumes of deep yellow that fade into white.

Their tail feathers are curved outwards. Another species often confused with these species is the Wilson bird of paradise which is bare and has a crossed pattern and beautiful plumage. Their feet are pinkish-gray and they have sharp features on their face with their bill being bluish-gray while their eyes are yellow.

Their nostrils are covered with feathers. These birds are truly majestic and beyond beautiful in appearance.

How cute are they?

They are extremely beautiful animals and appear majestic. Young species of this bird are extremely cute given that they are small in size but seldom appear out in the open. The lesser bird of paradise's temperament is tolerable as long as their territory is not invaded.

How do they communicate?

This category of birds utters a series of high-pitched 'wak' notes as an advertising song and long notes in the 'wik-wong-wau-wau' song. They also communicate via calls which are softer and vary in tone, pitch, and tempo.

How big is a Lesser Bird of Paradise?

A lesser bird of paradise is 12.5in (32cm) excluding the central tail and wires which is six times bigger compared to the smallest bird in the world, the bee hummingbird, which is 2.4 inch (6.1cm) tall.

How fast can a Lesser Bird of Paradise fly?

The lesser bird of paradise's flight is undulating and rather floppy compared to other species of birds. Seeing a lesser bird of paradise flying is a rare event since they spend most of their time foraging in the canopies for fruits and small invertebrates.

How much does a Lesser Bird of Paradise weigh?

Male lesser birds of paradise weigh 0.4-0.6 lb (183-300g), and females weigh 0.3- 0.5 lb (140-210g). Male birds tend to focus more of their energy on growth as compared to females.

Males also don't provide parental care for the young offspring, which the female does. This pattern is showcased in various animal species and is referred to as sexual dimorphism.

What are their male and female names of the species?

Male and female species are not addressed differently however, they differ in size i.e. males tend to weigh more than females, and males are also brightly colored as compared to female species. This is similar to the case of peacocks where males are more colorful than females. Males are provided with vibrant colors to attract potential mates.

What would you call a baby Lesser Bird of Paradise?

A baby lesser bird of paradise can be referred to as a juvenile or a nestling in the initial few weeks of their life until the end of the incubation period, after which they leave their nests to live alone.

What do they eat?

Lesser birds of paradise are omnivorous. These birds eat a various range of fruits and consume invertebrates, some flying ones, as well as some ground-dwelling species.

Are they poisonous?

Their description often portrays them as exotic beautiful birds and so they are. They are not harmful as long as they are not harmed in any way. They are not poisonous.

Would they make a good pet?

They are innately wild birds and survive best in the wild. Certain species are kept in conservation forests and other natural habitats which is a good space for you to visit them.

These birds are native to New Guinea so if you pay a visit to this place do make sure to visit these beautiful birds. There are certain species endemic to the United States as well like the giant birds of paradise in San Diego Zoo.

Did you know...

The rarest bird on earth is Bahama Nuthatches, parrots are the most popular, the smartest birds are crows, and the dodo is considered the least intelligent bird species. However, each one is unique and amazing in its own way.  

How did the Lesser Bird-of-Paradise get its name?

Minor (Latin: lesser), Paradisaea (Latin: Paradise). They were named as such to draw a contrast between the greater bird of paradise since it was bigger in size as compared to the lesser birds of paradise.

How to tell the difference between a Lesser Bird-of-Paradise and a Greater Bird-of-Paradise?

Lesser bird of paradise vs greater bird of paradise is two different bird members from the same family often confused with one another for their similar appearance as well as their name.

The greater bird of paradise species is the biggest in the family of paradise bird species and the lesser bird of paradise is relatively smaller in size. Greater bird-of-paradise is the biggest species in the family measuring up to 17in (43cm).

The greater bird of paradise is more widely seen in the United States as compared to the lesser bird of paradise.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including hyacinth macaw facts and rose-breasted grosbeak facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Lesser bird of paradise coloring pages.