Western parotia

Overview

Wikipedia

The western or Arfak parotia is a medium-sized, approximately 33 cm long, bird-of-paradise with a medium-length tail.

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Distribution

Region

Western New Guinea (Vogelkop Peninsula)

Typical Environment

Occurs in the mountains of the Vogelkop (Bird’s Head) Peninsula, especially the Arfak and Tamrau ranges in West Papua, Indonesia. It inhabits primary and mature secondary montane and hill rainforests, including mossy forest and forest edges. Birds frequent fruiting trees in the mid-story and canopy but males display on the forest floor in shaded, relatively open understory. It tolerates some selective logging where fruiting trees remain but is most abundant in intact forest.

Altitude Range

300–1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

SizeApprox. 33 cm

Wing Span40–45 cm

Male Weight0.23 kg

Female Weight0.17 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Males perform an elaborate “ballerina” courtship dance on a meticulously cleaned display court on the forest floor. They fan a skirt of elongated flank plumes and flash an iridescent breast shield while shaking six wire-like head plumes with spatulate tips. Females choose mates based on these displays and raise the young alone. Also known as the Arfak parotia, it is a bird-of-paradise unique to the Vogelkop region of West Papua, Indonesia.

Gallery

Western Parotia at his court

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats through dense forest

Social Behavior

Polygynous lekking species; males maintain and defend small courts on the forest floor, clearing leaves and debris before elaborate display bouts. Displays include rapid head shakes, flank plume fanning, and precise, dance-like steps. Females visit courts to assess males and alone builds the nest and rears the single chick.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations include clear, ringing whistles and buzzy notes, often given from mid-canopy perches near the display court. Males also produce audible wing snaps and rustling sounds as part of their display. Calls carry well through dense forest understory.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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