Glossy-mantled manucode facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glossy-mantled manucode |
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| Manucodia ater (Lesson, 1830)
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The glossy-mantled manucode (Manucodia ater) is a beautiful bird. It is a type of bird of paradise. This bird is about 42 centimeters (16.5 inches) long. It has shiny feathers that look green, blue, and purple-black.
This manucode has a bright red iris (the colored part of its eye). It also has a black bill and a long tail. Its feathers on the upper chest and neck are a bit longer than usual. You can find these birds in the lowlands of New Guinea and on islands nearby. They enjoy eating fruits, figs, and small creatures called arthropods.
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Discovering the Glossy-Mantled Manucode
The glossy-mantled manucode holds a special place in history. It was the very first bird of paradise that a French naturalist saw. This naturalist was named René-Primevère Lesson.
Lesson was the first westerner to see live wild birds of paradise. This happened in 1830 when he officially named this species. His discovery helped people in the Western world learn about these amazing birds.
Where They Live and What They Eat
Glossy-mantled manucodes live in the warm, flat areas of New Guinea. They also live on some islands close to New Guinea. These birds spend their time in forests.
Their diet is mostly made up of plants. They love to eat different kinds of fruits and figs. Sometimes, they also snack on small arthropods. These are creatures like insects or spiders.
Glossy-Mantled Manucodes in Zoos
Most glossy-mantled manucodes live freely in their natural homes. However, there is one special bird that lives outside of New Guinea. This bird lives at the San Diego Zoo. It is the only one of its kind kept in a zoo.
Images for kids
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Manucodia ater. Museum specimen
See also
In Spanish: Ave del paraíso negra para niños
