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.
The only member of the Pteridophora genus, the King of Saxony bird-of-paradise (Pteridophora alberti), is primarily found in the rainforests of New Guinea. The species was first described by a German anthropologist and ornithologist, Adolf Bernard Meyer, in the last decade of the 19th century. The birds are also known as 'Leme' in the native language.
Unlike other birds of New Guinea, the species is quite large. The average weight of these birds is 0.15-0.20 lb (68-95 g) while they are 7.8-8.6 in (20-22 cm) long. The top of the body, including the head and chest, is black, while the lower body is buff-yellow. Unlike males, the lower body of the female King of Saxony bird is off-white.
These solitary birds are omnivores and primarily prey on green fruits and small insects. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the species in the Least Concern category. Over the years, people have been hunting the species for their beautiful plumage or feathers.
Keep on reading to learn more interesting facts about the King of Saxony bird-of-paradise. If you want to know more exciting information about different animals, check out the prairie falcon facts and ring-necked duck facts.
The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise, Pteridophora alberti, is a colorful bird endemic to New Guinea. These birds are omnivores and primarily prey on fruits and insects.
The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise, Pteridophora alberti species, belongs to the class of Aves, the Paradisaeidae family, and the Pteridophora genus.
The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise, Pteridophora alberti, is the only member of the Pteridophora genus. The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise's exact population is not known, but the species has been listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. A few centuries ago, birds were also found in the western world. It is also true that the cases of hunting have increased over the years.
The birds are primarily found in New Guinea but can also be spotted in western regions of the island, known as Papua, Kratke range, and Mount Giluwe.
These birds are found in the rainforests of mountains and prefer to live between 0.9-1.7 miles (1500-2850 m) above sea level. The species can also be found in the edges of the forests.
The Pteridophora alberti species are solitary and prefer to live mostly alone. The birds generally come together during the breeding season. The species is diurnal and remains active day.
The exact lifespan of the birds is not known, but several species of the Paradisaeidae family can easily live up to 30 years if kept in captivity.
The birds-of-paradise are polygynous, which means the male mates with multiple female partners. The breeding season occurs from April to October or November. The male and female birds reach sexual maturity after the age of one or two, and before breeding, they are involved in nesting and courtship display which also take place during September and April.
The incubation period lasts for more than three weeks, and like other species, the female birds-of-paradise are involved in the construction of nests. Each season, the female bird lays only one egg.
These birds are endemic to New Guinea, and several organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and CITES have listed the species as Least Concern. Still, over the years, adult birds are being hunted by people.
The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise has a black head with long grey plumes. The female birds have an off-white lower body while males have a buff-yellow lower body. These birds are prominently found on the montane forest of New Guinea.
The King of Saxony birds-of-paradise are known for their beautiful plumage but the presence of ornamental head plumes make them more adorable. The cutest and most fascinating thing about these birds is the movement of their head plumes while singing.
These birds follow the same methods of communication. They use call notes, and body language to communicate with each other. The singing of adult males lasts for 4-5 seconds while juveniles make noises. During the courtship display, they swing their body, and plumes to attract their partners.
The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise is a medium-sized bird, and the average weight of the birds is 0.15-0.20 lb (68-95 g) while they are 7.8-8.6 in (20-22 cm) long. Some of the birds are two times lighter than the weight of the greater bird-of-paradise. The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise is also twice the length of Andean siskin birds.
The exact speed of this bird is not known at the moment, but the species are considered quite active. Also, males are aggressive and territorial and believed to move very fast during danger.
The male birds are a bit heavier compared to the female birds. The average weight of the species is 0.15-0.20 lb (68-95 g).
No specific names are used to refer to the female and male birds. People generally differentiate by looking at the lower bodies of the birds. The females have off-white lower bodies, unlike the male birds.
There is no particular name used to refer to the baby of the species. Terms such as chicks or juveniles are often used to refer to babies.
The birds are omnivores and primarily prey on small insects and fruits. A huge portion of their diet includes green fruits found in the montane forests.
The species generally is not dangerous to humans, but the male's aggressiveness could be harmful if they feel threatened or someone tries to harm the birds. Usually, these birds prefer to be alone and avoid human interaction.
It is not clear whether people keep these birds as pets as they are endemic to New Guinea. The male birds are quite aggressive, and keeping the birds in a human-made habitat would make them more aggressive. People generally don't keep these rare birds as pets as the population has been declining rapidly due to the rise in hunting activities.
There is an interesting fact behind given the common name and the scientific term to the species. 'King of Saxony', and 'alberti', the common name and the scientific term of the species were given to honor Albert of Saxony, the then king of Saxony.
The plumes of the birds are enamel-blue in color. Research suggests that gray plumes could reach the length of 19.6 in (50 cm) quite easily. When the first specimen came into the western world, people believed it was fake. However, the King of Saxony bird-of-paradise as well as all other 45 species of the bird-of-paradise are very much real.
The King of Saxony bird-of-paradise could be the most beautiful bird in the world but the eagle is regarded as the king of all birds.
Snakes, owls, and hawks are the main predators of the King of Saxony bird-of-paradise.
David Attenborough, a world-famous natural historian, is regarded as the first person to film the mating ritual of the Pteridophyta alberti species.
Charles Darwin, a naturalist, believed that the presence of vividly colored plumage, long plumes, and attractive bodies resulted from sexual selection. Due to the absence of many predators, males could attract females with their beauty, and the system of polygamy is a result of the male's flamboyance.
Several species of the Paradisaeidae family are either monogamous or polygynous. These monogamous birds mate with only one partner while a few species pair for their entire lives.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our pheasant facts and secretary bird facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable King of Saxony bird of paradise coloring pages.
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.