The Huon astrapia, also known as Rothschild's astrapia, Huon bird-of-paradise, or Lord Rothschild's bird-of-paradise, is a species of bird-of-paradise belonging to the genus Astrapia. Like most of its congeners, A. rothschildi is a rather elusive member of its genus and family.
Region
Northeast New Guinea (Huon Peninsula)
Typical Environment
Occurs in upper montane and cloud forests, favoring mossy, mature forest with dense epiphytes and occasional forest edges. Frequently visits fruiting trees along ridgelines and in tall mid-montane forest interior. It tolerates small forest gaps and secondary growth if large fruiting trees are present. The species is generally localized to high elevations on the peninsula and is absent from lowlands.
Altitude Range
1800–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Huon astrapia, or Rothschild's astrapia, is a bird-of-paradise restricted to the high montane forests of the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. Males have long, ribbon-like tail streamers and shimmering iridescent plumage used in elaborate courtship displays. Females are more cryptic brown and handle all nesting duties. The species is shy and often detected by its harsh calls near fruiting trees.
Illustration of a female A. rothschildi.
Temperament
solitary and shy
Flight Pattern
short direct flights with rapid wingbeats between high perches
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in loose proximity near fruiting trees. Males maintain dispersed display sites where they perform posture and plume displays to visiting females. Nesting is undertaken by the female alone, who builds a small cup nest and raises the chick without male assistance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of harsh rasping notes and dry squawks, interspersed with sharp whistles. Calls carry through the canopy and are often the easiest way to detect the species in dense montane forest.
Plumage
Male velvety black with strong iridescence; metallic green to blue head and breast with bronzy sheen on mantle; extremely long, narrow tail streamers. Female brown to rufous-brown with fine barring and mottling, shorter tail, and overall duller appearance.
Diet
Primarily feeds on a variety of forest fruits and drupes, often swallowing them whole and dispersing seeds. Supplements diet with insects and other small arthropods gleaned from foliage and epiphytes. Will hawk for airborne insects occasionally and probe mossy branches.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory to canopy of mature montane forest and along forest edges with fruiting trees. Regularly visits prominent fruiting trees on ridges and in gaps, sometimes with other frugivores.
