The magnificent bird-of-paradise is a species of bird-of-paradise. The magnificent bird-of-paradise is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are listed in Appendix II of CITES.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs in hill and lower montane rainforests across mainland New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. Prefers mature forest but also uses secondary growth and forest edges where fruiting trees are abundant. Males typically select relatively open understory sites for display courts. It is generally absent from lowland swamps and very high montane moss forests.
Altitude Range
300–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males clear and maintain a display court on the forest floor where they perform elaborate dances, fanning a shimmering green breast shield and flashing a bright yellow cape. The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is listed on CITES Appendix II. Females are cryptically colored and solely build the nest and rear the young. Their striking courtship and specialized behavior make them icons of New Guinea’s montane forests.
Cicinnurus magnificus from Aru Islands
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief undulating flights
Social Behavior
Polygynous; males advertise from carefully cleared courts on the forest floor and attract visiting females with coordinated dances and postures. Females select the mate, then build a cup nest alone and rear the young without male assistance. Clutches are typically small, often a single egg.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are clear, ringing whistles interspersed with buzzy notes and mechanical-sounding clicks. During displays, males add wing-snaps and rustling sounds to enhance visual postures.
Plumage
Male is velvet-black with a bright yellow mantle and iridescent emerald-green breast shield; tail ends in two long, curled wire-like feathers. Female is warm brown with mottled barring and a paler belly, providing excellent camouflage.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruits, especially figs and other soft berries, supplemented by arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans insects from foliage and branches and occasionally hawks small prey in short sallies. Seasonal fruit availability strongly influences daily movements within its territory.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory and understory of hill and montane rainforest, concentrating around fruiting trees and along forest edges. Sometimes descends near the ground near its display site.
