The bronze parotia, also known as the Foja parotia, Berlepsch's parotia or Berlepsch's six-wired bird-of-paradise, is a species of bird-of-paradise, in the family Paradisaeidae. It resembles and is often considered to be a subspecies of Carola's parotia, but a high majority of authorities support its specific status.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs in remote, little-disturbed montane rainforests of the Foja Mountains in northern New Guinea (Papua, Indonesia). It frequents mossy mid-elevation forests with dense understory and abundant fruiting trees. Males maintain traditional display courts (leks) on relatively open forest floors within closed-canopy habitat. The species typically forages within the mid-story and canopy, occasionally descending lower near display sites.
Altitude Range
1200–1700 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The bronze parotia is a bird-of-paradise known for the male’s elaborate courtship display, featuring synchronized foot-shuffling dances and a spreading ‘skirt’ of flank feathers. It bears six wiry head plumes and a bronzy iridescence that gives the species its name. Long isolated in the remote Foja Mountains, it was poorly known to science until rediscoveries in the 21st century.
Male Carola's parotia specimen for reference. Note the golden face of this species that is a major factor that sets it and the bronze parotia apart.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick dashes between trees
Social Behavior
Males are polygynous and maintain small ground courts where they clear leaves and perform elaborate dances to attract visiting females. Females alone build the nest and raise the young. Outside the breeding season, individuals remain mostly solitary or loosely associated in the forest interior.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, metallic notes and thin whistles delivered from display perches. Courtship also features audible wing snaps, rustles, and rhythmic sounds produced during foot-shuffling displays.
