The eastern parotia, also known as Helena's parotia, is a medium-sized passerine of the bird-of-paradise family, Paradisaeidae, endemic to mountain forests of the Bird's Tail Peninsula. It is approximately 27 cm (11 in) long.
Region
Southeast New Guinea
Typical Environment
Inhabits mid- to upper-montane rainforests on the Papuan (Bird’s Tail) Peninsula. Prefers dense, mossy forest with a shaded understory and relatively level patches of leaf litter used as display courts. Occurs along ridgelines and in valleys, and may utilize forest edges and adjacent secondary growth where fruiting trees are abundant. Typically remains within intact forest but can move locally to follow fruit availability.
Altitude Range
800–1800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Helena’s parotia, the male performs an elaborate “ballerina” courtship dance on a meticulously cleaned display court on the forest floor. He fans silky white flank plumes like a tutu and flashes an iridescent breast shield while raising six wire-like head plumes. Females choose mates at these courts and handle all nesting duties.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males maintain and defend ground courts where they perform elaborate lek displays; multiple females may visit a single court. Females build the nest alone and rear the young without male assistance. Breeding is polygynous, with female choice driven by male display quality.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include clear, whistled notes interspersed with sharp chucks. Males also produce distinctive mechanical clicks and rustling sounds during display, adding to the visual performance.
Plumage
Male is velvety black with bronzy tones, an iridescent, triangular breast shield, elongated white flank plumes, and three pairs of wire-like head plumes with spatulate tips. Female is brown and heavily barred/streaked, providing excellent camouflage in the understory.
Diet
Feeds primarily on fruits and berries, including figs, supplemented with arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. Will also take small invertebrates gleaned from foliage and trunks. Diet shifts seasonally in response to fruiting cycles, with increased insect intake when fruit is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid-story and understory of mature montane forest, occasionally descending to the ground. Often visits fruiting trees along forest edges and gaps where food is concentrated.
