The growling riflebird, also known as the eastern riflebird, is a medium-sized passerine bird of the family Paradisaeidae.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and hill rainforests of eastern New Guinea, including primary forest, edges, and well-developed secondary growth. It favors mid-story to subcanopy strata where it forages along trunks and branches. The species can also be found in gallery forests and foothill forests near ridgelines. It tends to remain within forested habitats but may visit fruiting trees in clearings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The growling riflebird, also called the eastern riflebird, is a bird-of-paradise known for the male’s low, guttural growling calls that carry through rainforest understories. Males perform dramatic courtship displays on exposed perches, raising their wings and flashing an iridescent blue-green breast shield. It is closely related to other riflebirds in the genus Ptiloris and is restricted to New Guinea’s forests.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males display singly at traditional perches, advertising with calls and visual displays to attract visiting females. The species does not form large flocks; individuals are usually encountered alone or in pairs. Nest building and chick rearing are undertaken by the female alone.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The call is a distinctive low, guttural growl interspersed with harsh rasps and short notes. During displays, the male repeats these growls rhythmically, often accompanied by wing-flicks and posture changes.
Plumage
Male has velvety black plumage with a highly iridescent blue-green breast shield and crown; feathers appear glossy and light-absorbing. Female is brown above with heavy buff-and-dark barring below, giving a scaly appearance.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of fruits and arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans from bark and foliage, probes crevices, and occasionally sallies to snatch prey. Fruiting figs and other canopy trees are important seasonal resources.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid-story and subcanopy of mature rainforest, along edges, and in tall secondary growth. It often uses vine tangles and liana-laden trunks where prey is abundant, and visits fruiting trees within or just outside the forest.
