Greater Bird-of-Paradise

rainforest · dancing birds · dazzling feathers

Epic dance moves. Male greater birds-of-paradise are famous for their elaborate dances where they flip upside down, shake their feathers, and perform acrobatic moves to impress females. These performances are so dramatic that the birds clear a special dance floor on the forest floor by removing leaves and twigs.

Incredible feathers. The males have shimmering golden and deep red feathers that seem to glow in the rainforest light, plus long wire-like feathers that stream from their bodies. These fancy feathers are only grown by males to help them attract partners.

Lives in rainforests. Greater birds-of-paradise live high in the rainforests of New Guinea, where they stay mostly in the treetops eating fruit. They're native to one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

Sounds and songs. These birds don't just dance and look fancy, they also make loud calls and mechanical sounds by snapping their wing feathers together. The combination of movement, color, and sound makes their performances absolutely unforgettable.

Males show off more. Unlike the flashy males, female greater birds-of-paradise are much plainer with brownish feathers, so they blend in while raising their babies. The males spend their energy on impressive displays instead of helping with chicks.