The Obi paradise-crow is a species of paradise-crow in the family Paradiseaidae along with the birds-of-paradise. This bird was split from its congener, the Halmahera paradise-crow (L. pyrrhopterus) in 2016. The species was first described and named by Heinrich Agathon Bernstein in 1865.
Region
North Maluku, Wallacea
Typical Environment
Endemic to the Obi Islands (including Bisa) where it inhabits primary and secondary lowland and hill rainforests. It uses the mid- to upper canopy, often frequenting fruiting trees and forest edges. The species tolerates some disturbance and may persist in selectively logged forest and tall secondary growth. It occasionally ventures into agroforestry mosaics where large native trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite its crow-like look, this species is a true bird-of-paradise in the family Paradisaeidae. It was split from the Halmahera paradise-crow (L. pyrrhopterus) in 2016 and is restricted to the Obi Islands of Indonesia. The species plays an important role as a seed disperser in lowland rainforests.
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
direct flight with steady wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often travels in pairs or small family parties and may join mixed-species feeding flocks at fruiting trees. Courtship is relatively subdued for a bird-of-paradise; the species is thought to form monogamous pairs with simple display behaviors. Nests are placed high in trees; the female likely undertakes most nesting duties and lays a single egg.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud and coarse, featuring croaks, caws, and nasal mewing notes that carry through the canopy. Calls are given from exposed perches and during short flights between fruiting trees.
Plumage
Satin-glossy black body with contrasting rich chestnut to rufous-brown wings; plumage appears velvety in good light with a faint greenish-blue sheen on the head and mantle.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, taking figs and other fleshy fruits, and supplementing with arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and orthopterans. It forages deliberately among canopy foliage, gleaning and occasionally sallying to grab prey. By swallowing fruits whole and defecating seeds away from the parent tree, it acts as an effective seed disperser.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid- to upper canopy of mature and secondary rainforest, especially at fruiting trees. It also uses forest edges and tall remnant trees within mosaic and selectively logged landscapes.
