FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
If you are someone who gets super excited about the study of birds, then greater bird of paradise would, for sure, fascinate you. The greater bird of paradise, being the largest bird in the Paradisaea genus, is also referred to as Paradisaea apoda or legless bird of paradise. The Swedish botanist and zoologist Carl Linnaeus named it so. Linnaeus named them apoda, which means legless. Are they really legless? No! The reason for this name would surprise you. If you see the history of it, in the early sixteenth century, native traders, who brought the early trade skins to Europe, removed their wings and feet and used them for decoration. The wingless and footless appearance of the birds led to a misconception by the explorers that these magical birds were always in the sky, kept up by their plumes and never touched the earth. They believed that these birds were visitors from paradise, which explains the reason for its name. However, there are no birds from paradise. It is a misconception. Read ahead for more fascinating facts about greater birds of paradise.
If you enjoy our facts about greater birds of paradise, you might also love to read our red bird of paradise facts and barn owl facts.
With the scientific name Paradisaea apoda, the greater bird of paradise belongs to the class Aves (birds) and the genus Paradisaea.
The actual population of the species Paradisaea apoda remains unknown. They are widespread and common on the Aru Islands of Indonesia and southwest New Guinea. However, these birds are hunted for their colorful plumes by local tribes. Additionally, deforestation has led to the loss of their habitat. All these reasons have resulted in a decrease in population.
Greater birds of paradise, Paradisaea apoda, live in woods.
The distribution of Paradisaea apoda, or legless bird of paradise, is found in the lowland and hill forests of New Guinea and Indonesia (Aru Islands).
Knowledge about the social behavior of paradise greater bird is minimal. Generally, they are considered to be solitary birds. However, the female birds with maroon brown plumage search for food together with other birds of paradise species.
Greater bird of paradise, Paradisaea apoda, lives up to 30 years under the care of experts. However, its life span is as short as 5-7 years in wild regions.
The breeding of male birds of paradise, Paradisaea apoda, is polygamous, which means one male bird mates many female birds. Their courtship behavior includes dance displays and calls. First, they gather around display perches and rapidly flap their wings, and erect their flank plumes while keeping their wings extended. Later, they withdraw their wings with their tail wires still upright.
The female paradise greater bird chooses a male based on the benefits that genetically increase the fitness of their offspring. Breeding happens between the months of March and May and later from August to December. The female lays up to around seven eggs in a clutch.
As per IUCN, the Red List of threatened species, the Greater bird of paradise, Paradisaea apoda, is categorized as a Least Concern (LC) species. Being a common species in their native range, they are not extinct. However, their population is decreasing due to deforestation and other factors, making them endangered. Therefore, they need to be prevented from becoming extinct.
With an extravagant, colorful plumage, the greater bird of paradise is an astounding species in the wild. Females are vast in size as compared to males. They also display a sexually dimorphic plumage. Males possess a shimmering yellow and silver nape, head, and crown, along with a green face. The flank plumes that are yellow at the bottom are widely used in displays. Females are uniformly maroon brown all over their head, crown, and feathers possess a brown plumage.
With a splendid blend of colorful feathers and fabulous flank plumes, the greater bird of paradise, particularly males, are a treats for your eyes.
They communicate through dances and calls. Their loud wok-wok cries resonate through the woods as they forage around in association with other species.
Greater birds of paradise are the largest among the Paradisaea genus. The length of a male bird is around 17 in (43 cm), without including its tail wires. You would be taken by surprise to know that these birds are about 4-5 times larger than hummingbirds.
The exact speed with which these birds fly is unknown.
The greater bird of paradise weighs around 0.37 lb, around 170 g.
There are no specific names for the male and female of the species. Both male and female greater birds of paradise are named Paradisaea apoda.
Like any other bird, the baby greater bird of paradise is called a chick.
The greater bird of paradise mainly feeds on small insects, seeds, fruits. Female birds most often forage with other birds of paradise and birds of other species. They move about in different directions, searching for food. However, male birds are typically solitary.
Birds of paradise are never dangerous to us. Humans pose a significant danger and threat to these beautiful species. Let's look at the history of early trade skins and the significance of the plumage of the paradise birds. We can find that the feathers adorned the headdresses of warriors, dancers, and fashionable women. They were an essential part of weddings and ceremonies. These birds were hunted and packed for these purposes, decreasing their population.
They are mostly sought after for trading purposes than as pets.
There are almost 42 species that are a part of the Paradisaeidae family, commonly known as birds of paradise.
During the early twentieth century, the plumes embellished hats and remained a fashion trend in America and Europe.
The length of the greater bird of paradise (Paradisaea apoda) ranges from 14-17 in (35-43 cm) while the lesser bird of paradise (Paradisaea minor) is around 12.5 in (32 cm) long. The male lesser bird of paradise is as colorful as the male greater bird of paradise, with a dark emerald throat and bright yellow and white flank plumes. The female lesser bird of paradise is a maroon brown species with white shades on its lower side, while the female greater bird of paradise has no white underside and is completely maroon brown.
The yellow feathers on a greater bird of paradise are the flank plumes that turn white and splashed with maroon shades.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these secretary bird facts, or great green macaw.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our greater bird of paradise coloring pages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_bird-of-paradise
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.