Stephanie's astrapia, also known as Princess Stephanie's astrapia, is a species of bird-of-paradise of the family Paradisaeidae, native to the Bird's Tail Peninsula. This species was first described by Carl Hunstein in 1884.
Region
Southeast New Guinea (Papuan Peninsula)
Typical Environment
Occupies mid- to upper-montane forests, including mossy cloud forest, forest edges, and mature secondary growth. It favors ridgelines and fruiting trees within closed-canopy habitats but also visits clearings and edges when figs and other fruits are abundant. The species is typically localized to mountain ranges of the Papuan Peninsula. It is largely arboreal, spending most time in the subcanopy and canopy.
Altitude Range
1,500–3,000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Stephanie's astrapia, or Princess Stephanie's astrapia, is a bird-of-paradise native to the Bird's Tail (Papuan) Peninsula of southeastern New Guinea. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, showing off shimmering iridescent plumage and a long graduated tail. Females alone build the nest and rear the young. The species was first described by Carl Hunstein in 1884 and is named after Crown Princess Stéphanie of Austria-Hungary.
Male Stephanie's astrapia specimen at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Female Stephanie's astrapia specimen
Male (left) and female
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Males display at traditional sites, often in loose leks or individually, where they perform postures and reveal iridescent plumage to attract females. Pair bonds are brief; the species is polygynous. Females build a cup nest and incubate alone, raising the chick without male assistance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, metallic notes and rasping calls given from elevated perches. Display sequences may be accompanied by clicks and harsh, buzzy phrases. Calls carry through montane forest but are given intermittently.
