The greater lophorina, formerly a subspecies of the superb bird-of-paradise, is a species of passerine bird in the bird-of-paradise family Paradisaeidae. It is found in the central and northeast montane regions of New Guinea.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Found in montane rainforest across the central cordillera and northeast ranges of New Guinea, including the Huon Peninsula. It favors mature mossy forests, edges, and mid‑montane secondary growth. Birds use dense understory perches for display courts and feed through the midstory and lower canopy. Local occurrence can be patchy where suitable display and feeding sites are available.
Altitude Range
1000–2300 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This species was long treated as the superb bird-of-paradise but was split, with the greater lophorina retaining the name Lophorina superba. Males perform a famous courtship display: they raise a velvety black cape and iridescent blue-green breast shield to form an oval silhouette and dance before the female. It is restricted to New Guinea’s central and northeastern montane forests.
An open-winged greater lophorina.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males maintain display courts on logs or open patches within the understory and perform elaborate dances to attract females. The species is polygynous; females choose mates based on display quality and then nest and rear young alone. Nests are cup-shaped and placed in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp whistles and rasping calls used for advertising territories and attracting mates. During displays, males add clicks, snaps, and buzzing notes that carry through the understory.
Plumage
Male velvety black with intensely iridescent blue-green breast shield and crown; cape feathers expand to a broad oval during display. Female brown with fine barring and mottling, providing excellent camouflage. Feathers are soft with satin-like iridescence on ornamental areas.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of fruits (especially figs and other soft berries) and arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans from foliage and bark and occasionally hawks for insects in short sallies. Seasonal fruit availability influences its movements within territories.
Preferred Environment
Forages in midstory to lower canopy of montane rainforest and along forest edges. Often visits fruiting trees and follows mixed-species flocks when taking insects.
