The splendid astrapia is a species of Astrapia of the birds-of-paradise family, Paradisaeidae.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
This species is confined to montane and cloud forests along the central mountain spine of New Guinea, extending through the Central Highlands and into adjacent ranges. It favors mature mossy forest with dense epiphytes, forest edges, and fruit-rich mid to upper canopy layers. Birds are often encountered along ridgelines and in gully forests where fruiting trees are abundant. It can also utilize secondary montane growth if sufficient canopy structure and fruit sources remain.
Altitude Range
1700–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The splendid astrapia is a bird-of-paradise famed for the male’s shimmering iridescent plumage and elongated tail. It inhabits high-elevation cloud forests where it performs display flights and perches to court females. Like many birds-of-paradise, it relies heavily on fruiting trees and also takes invertebrates, helping disperse seeds in montane ecosystems.
Specimen of a male A. s. splendidissima from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. Note the shiny iridescent bluish-green chin and throat.
Female A. s. splendidissima specimen. As mentioned in the text, note how drastically different the plumage of the female is from the males'.
Male ribbon-tailed astrapia has a longer white tail
Arfak astrapia
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males maintain display sites where they court females with postures, flicks of the long tail, and iridescent flashes. Nesting is undertaken by the female, who builds a small cup nest in dense foliage and raises the young. Outside breeding, birds are typically solitary or in loose associations around fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, metallic notes and thin whistles delivered from elevated perches. Males may add rustling wing sounds and mechanical clicks during display sequences.
Plumage
Male shows velvety black base plumage overlaid with striking iridescent green to bronze sheen on the head, breast, and upperparts, and a long, graduated dark tail. Female is smaller with brownish, barred or mottled underparts and less iridescence. Both sexes have sturdy, sleek feathers adapted for wet montane habitats.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, taking various soft fruits and berries from mid to upper canopy. It supplements its diet with insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from foliage or taken in short sallies. By consuming fruit, it likely serves as an important seed disperser in montane forests.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid to upper canopy of mature cloud forest, especially at fruiting trees. Also visits forest edges and gaps where fruit is more accessible and light levels are higher.
