Blue bird-of-paradise  (Paradisaea rudolphi)

Classified as Vulnerable (VU - C2a) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (2), and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).

Birds-of-paradise are one of the most spectacular and colourful groups of birds in the world, and the blue bird-of-paradise with its stunning plumage is no exception. These birds have blue feathers on their wings, back and tail; the bill is ivory in colour and there is a white ring around the eyes (1). Males also have fine blue tail plumes with two delicate, long streamers, whilst in contrast to the dark males, females have chestnut underparts (1). During their mating display, males will give a rhythmic 'wahr...wahr...' call (1).

Endemic to Papua New Guinea, the blue bird-of-paradise is found to the east of the Central Ranges (1).

Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist forest (2), usually between 1,400 and 1,800 metres above sea level (1).

Birds-of-paradise use their spectacular plumage in displays to attract mates (4). Males compete in what is known as a lekking system where they each have their own small display ground (known as a 'lek') from which to impress passing females. In part of their display, males reveal the full extent of their magnificent plumage by hanging upside down in trees and spreading their wings, whilst giving a humming call (1).

These birds are mainly found in the canopy of the forest, where the majority of their diet is composed of fruit (1).

Habitat loss is the most important threat to the survival of the blue bird-of-paradise. Much of the native forests of Papua New Guinea are being cleared to make way for agriculture and development (1) and it is likely that the already small population of these birds will become increasingly fragmented (2). The colourful feathers of these birds have traditionally been in demand and the species continues to be targeted by hunters (1).

The blue bird-of-paradise is protected by law in Papua New Guinea and international trade is restricted by its listing on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (1). More research into the distribution of these beautiful birds is required in order to accurately gauge the risk currently facing their population (2).

For more on the blue bird-of-paradise see:

• BirdLife International's World Bird Database
  http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html
• BirdLife International (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona and Cambridge.

• Endemic: a species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
• Lek mating system: system of mating in which males display collectively in an area known as a lek. Males compete for the best sites within the lek and females then choose whom to mate with on the basis of the display.

1. BirdLife International (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona and Cambridge.
2. IUCN Red List (April, 2003) www.redlist.org
3. CITES (April, 2003) www.cites.org
4. Burnie, D. [ed.] (2001) Animal. Dorling Kindersley, London.