Ribbon-tailed astrapia

Overview

Wikipedia

The ribbon-tailed astrapia, also known as Shaw Mayer's astrapia, is a species of bird-of-paradise.

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Distribution

Region

New Guinea Highlands

Typical Environment

Endemic to the central highlands of Papua New Guinea, it inhabits mid- to upper-montane forests and forest edges. It frequents secondary growth, mossy forest, and forest-fringe gardens where fruiting trees are abundant. The species often forages in canopy and subcanopy layers but will descend to edges and clearings. Its range is patchy, following suitable high-elevation habitats across the Central Range.

Altitude Range

1700–3000 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size32–35 cm (male body length; tail streamers can exceed 1 m)

Wing Span40–45 cm

Male Weight0.13 kg

Female Weight0.11 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The ribbon-tailed astrapia, also known as Shaw Mayer's astrapia, is a bird-of-paradise famed for the male’s extraordinarily long, white ribbon-like tail feathers used in courtship displays. Relative to body size, these are among the longest tail feathers of any bird. Females lack the ribbons and are more cryptically colored for camouflage. The species is non-migratory and tied to the high montane forests of Papua New Guinea.

Gallery

Male with long tail feathers

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and wary

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with undulating flight

Social Behavior

Typically solitary or in loose associations at fruiting trees. Males display at traditional sites, performing fluttering flights and tail-fanning to court females. The species is polygynous; females build the nest and rear the young alone.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations include sharp, buzzy notes and raspy calls, often given from canopy perches. Wing sounds and rustling during display flights add to the acoustic display.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Male is velvety black with iridescent green to bronze sheen on head and upper breast, and two extremely long, flat, white tail streamers; female is brown and finely barred with a warm rufous wash below.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Primarily frugivorous, taking a variety of forest fruits and berries. It also gleans arthropods such as insects and spiders from foliage and bark, supplementing its diet with animal protein. Occasional small vertebrates may be taken opportunistically.

Preferred Environment

Feeds mainly in the canopy and subcanopy of montane forest, especially at fruiting trees. Forest edges, secondary growth, and highland gardens with fruiting shrubs are also used. It will descend to lower strata at forest margins when food is abundant.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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