Fun Vogelkop Facts For Kids

The Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is a bird that was, until recently, thought to be conspecific with the greater bird-of-paradise species. It is known by a few other names, such as the crescent-caped Lophorina, and the curl-caped bird-of-paradise. It is officially declared as its own species in 2018. It is native to the Bird's Neck Peninsula of Indonesia's Western New Guinea. The bird has gained so much hype thanks to its courtship dance display being featured on the 'Planet Earth' TV show by David Attenborough. Edwin Scholes and Tim Laman are ornithologists that have to be credited for the discovery of this species and for noting the bird's differences from the greater birds-of-paradise species, thanks to their documentation of the male Vogelkop's dance display where it forms a beautiful crescent shape with electric blue eyes and plate on its breast that make it look like an animated face.

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What type of animal is a Vogelkop?

Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise (Lophorina niedda) is a bird.

What class of animal does a Vogelkop belong to?

Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise (Lophorina niedda) species belongs to class Aves.

How many Vogelkop are there in the world?

The total number of Vogelkops in the world is unknown since it is a recently discovered and new species.

Where does a Vogelkop live?

The Vogelkop superb-bird-of-paradise species lives in the mountains in Indonesia's Western New Guinea.

What is a Vogelkop's habitat?

The Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is a new species that call the mountainous forests in the Bird's Head Peninsula home. It lives within elevations of 1200-2000 m (3,937-6562 ft) in the Papua or Western New Guinea portion of Indonesia. They live among the vegetation and trees in the rainforest.

Whom do Vogelkops live with?

Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise lives alone, except for the breeding and mating season.

How long does a Vogelkop live?

Being one of the greater birds of paradise, a Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise may live for up to eight years.

How do they reproduce?

Being one of the greater birds of paradise, the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise reproduces by mating and laying eggs. The mating and courtship dance of the males of the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is now very famous. The females reject around 15 males before accepting one. They most probably make nests on treetops with leaves, incubate eggs for 16-20 days, and the chicks leave the nest after 16-30 days.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of Vogelkop super bird-paradise is of Least Concern according to the IUCN.

What do Vogelkops look like?

*Please note that this is an image of a regent bowerbird, not a superb vogelkop. If you have an image of a Vogelkop superb, please let us know at [email protected]

The Vogelkop is around 10 in (26 cm) long and weighs 2.8-4.6 oz (80-130 g). Voglekop superb bird-of-paradise has overwhelmingly black plumage. It is so black that 99.9% of the light that hits the Vogelkop is absorbed by its plumage. Their cape feathers are black as well, but there is a breastplate that is bright blue and looks electric during courtship. When they bend down during their courtship dance, their appearance looks like a cartoonish face. All the other body parts of the Vogelkop male are black. Vogelkops display sexual dimorphism meaning there are certain differences between the sexes. The males also have a crown that is iridescent green. And the females can be said to be an overall reddish-brown color.

How cute are they?

The Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is a new species that is one of the most beautiful birds that can be found in nature. The male's appearance during the courtship dance is a rare piece of natural beauty. It is a completely black bird, with electric green breast feathers, and when it performs its dance for the female it looks like a black and blue face. To observe this animal in its natural habitat would be a rare treat.

How do they communicate?

Unlike the superb bird of paradise that squawks rather loudly, the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise communicates via a singular, loud, tonal, and pleasant call. Also, these birds most prominently communicate via elaborate mating rituals. The males fan out their pitch-black feathers into a crescent shape which is highlighted by feathers that are electric blue and slides from side to side in front of the female.

How big is a Vogelkop?

The Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise can be said to be around 10 in (26 cm) long, which makes it four times bigger than the bee hummingbird.

How fast can a Vogelkop fly?

The exact speeds of the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise are not known, however, since they are birds of paradise, and they live and hunt in tropical forests, they can be assumed to be formidable fliers.

How much does a Vogelkop weigh?

A Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise may weigh anywhere between 2.8-4.6 oz (80-130 g), which is half as light as the average red bird-of-paradise.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and female of the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise species may be called a cock and a hen respectively.

What would you call a baby Vogelkop?

A baby Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is called a chick.

What do they eat?

The Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise eats an omnivorous diet of fruits and insects. But it may also prey on reptiles, frogs, and other small birds.

Are they dangerous?

Since it is a new species, it is not known whether the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is specifically dangerous or not. It most probably is not, since many greater birds of paradise do live in captivity.

Would they make a good pet?

No, these superb birds of paradise are too grand and beautiful to be taken as pets and should be left in the wild where they belong.

Did you know...

Vogelkops were thought to be forming an oval shape during their courtship dance, but video documentation by Edwin Scholes and Tim Laman revealed them to be a crescent shape.

Vogelkop,s being a bird of paradise, are not migratory. Its tropical habitat is capable of providing it with ample food and territory all year round.

Which is the blackest bird in the world?

The Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is the blackest bird in the world. It is found in Papua or Western New Guinea, in the forested mountains of the Bird's Head Peninsula. These new species of birds of paradise are pitch black and absorb almost 100% of the light that falls on them.

Is the superb bird of paradise real?

Yes, the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise is a very real and new species, as is the collective superb birds of paradise species. The Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise has two really prominent colors. The overall plumage is ultra black and it has electric blue breastplates. This bird has become so famous thanks to the Planet Earth show by David Attenborough, which featured the males perform the courtship dance. In professional circles, Edwin Scholes and Tim Laman are responsible for noticing the subtleties of the differences of this bird from the other greater birds of paradise. Tim Laman and Edwin Scholes also compiled the video data on these birds.

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 rainbow lorikeet facts and kestrel bird fun facts pages.

You can occupy yourself at home by coloring in our free printable Vogelkop coloring pages.

*Please note that the main image is of a vogelkop bowerbird, not a superb vogelkop. If you have an image of a Vogelkop superb, please let us know at [email protected]