The Jobi manucode is a species of crow-like bird-of-paradise.
Region
Northern New Guinea islands (Cenderawasih Bay) and nearby coastal areas
Typical Environment
Occupies primary and secondary lowland rainforest, forest edge, and gallery forests on Yapen (Jobi) and nearby small islands, with local occurrence in adjacent northern New Guinea coastal forests. It favors tall, mature canopy with abundant fruiting trees, especially figs. The species occasionally ventures into lightly disturbed habitats, including gardens and plantations near forest margins. It forages mostly in the mid to upper canopy and is more often detected by voice than sight.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Jobi manucode is a crow-like bird-of-paradise with glossy, iridescent plumage and a long, graduated tail. Unlike many other birds-of-paradise, manucodes are largely monogamous and pairs may duet with far-carrying calls. They are important dispersers of rainforest fruits and figs. Their loud, ringing whistles are often heard long before the bird is seen high in the canopy.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid, purposeful wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen alone or in pairs and believed to be largely monogamous. Pairs may maintain small territories and perform vocal duets. Nest is a simple, shallow platform placed high in the canopy; the female undertakes most incubation while the male helps defend the area.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, ringing whistles and fluty notes that carry over long distances, often delivered from high perches. Also gives harsher rasping calls during interactions or alarm.
Plumage
Sleek, glossy plumage with strong iridescence; sheen shifts green, blue, and purple depending on light, especially on the head, neck, and upper breast. Tail is long and graduated; feathers are smooth and crow-like without elaborate plumes.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, taking a wide variety of rainforest fruits and figs. Supplements diet with insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from foliage or taken during short sallies. By swallowing fruits whole and later defecating the seeds, it plays a role in seed dispersal across the forest.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid to upper canopy of mature forest and at fruiting trees along edges and river corridors. Will visit village trees and plantations when seasonally abundant fruit is available.
