Loria's satinbird or velvet satinbird, formerly known as Loria's bird-of-paradise, is a species of bird in the family Cnemophilidae. It is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Central Range of New Guinea from Indonesian Papua eastward into Papua New Guinea. It inhabits humid montane and mossy forests, forest edges, and adjacent secondary growth where fruiting trees are abundant. The species mainly uses the mid- to upper canopy but will descend to lower strata at fruiting shrubs. It is generally absent from extensive lowland rainforest, occurring mostly at montane elevations.
Altitude Range
1200–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the velvet satinbird, it was once grouped with the birds-of-paradise but is now placed in its own family, Cnemophilidae. Males have a distinctive velvety black sheen, while females are camouflaged brown and buff. It is an important seed disperser in New Guinea’s montane forests and is largely inconspicuous, moving quietly through the mid-canopy.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, agile in subcanopy
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs while foraging, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Courtship is subdued compared with true birds-of-paradise; males do not build elaborate structures. Nesting is a simple cup placed in dense foliage, with the female primarily responsible for nest building and care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft and infrequent: thin whistles, mewing notes, and quiet contact calls. Song phrases are short, spaced out, and easily overlooked against forest background noise.
