Wahnes's parotia is a medium-sized passerine of the bird-of-paradise family (Paradisaeidae). This species is distributed and endemic to the mountain forests of Huon Peninsula and Adelbert Mountains, northeast Papua New Guinea. The diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods.
Region
Northeast Papua New Guinea
Typical Environment
Endemic to the montane and cloud forests of the Huon Peninsula and Adelbert Mountains. It favors mossy, mature forest with dense understory, abundant epiphytes, and scattered fruiting trees. Males choose flat patches on the forest floor for leks, often beneath open canopy gaps where light enhances iridescent displays. It uses forest interiors, ridgelines, and mid-elevation slopes, avoiding heavily disturbed lowlands. Connectivity between intact forest tracts is important for movement and lek persistence.
Altitude Range
1200–1900 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Wahnes's parotia is a bird-of-paradise famed for the male’s elaborate courtship dance performed on a carefully cleared forest-floor ‘stage’. Males display a shimmering, fan-like breast shield and six wire-like head plumes with spatulate tips while hopping around a female. The species is restricted to remote montane forests of northeastern Papua New Guinea, where it remains shy and seldom seen. Habitat loss and hunting pressure contribute to its conservation concern.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense forest
Social Behavior
Males are polygynous and maintain small display courts on the forest floor, which they sweep clean of debris. They perform complex dances, including hops and pivots, to visiting females. Females alone build the nest and rear the young, typically selecting well-hidden sites in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp metallic notes and thin whistles interspersed with dry chattering. During displays, males add mechanical elements such as wing snaps and rustling sounds, creating a distinctive multi-modal performance.
