Lesser bird-of-paradise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesser bird-of-paradise |
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| Male | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Paradisaeidae |
| Genus: | Paradisaea |
| Species: |
P. minor
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| Binomial name | |
| Paradisaea minor Shaw, 1809
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The lesser bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea minor) is a beautiful bird found in the bird-of-paradise family. These amazing birds are known for their bright colors and fancy feathers.
Contents
About the Lesser Bird-of-Paradise
The lesser bird-of-paradise is a medium-sized bird. It can grow up to 32 centimeters (about 12.6 inches) long. Its body is mostly a reddish-brown color. It has a bright yellow top of its head and a brownish-yellow back.
Male and Female Birds
Male lesser birds-of-paradise are very striking. They have a shiny, dark emerald-green throat. They also have two long, thin wires that extend from their tail. The males are famous for their special side feathers. These feathers are bright yellow near their body and turn white towards the ends.
Female lesser birds-of-paradise look a bit different. They are maroon-colored with a dark-brown head. Their belly area is whitish. This helps you tell them apart from the males.
Comparing to Other Birds-of-Paradise
This bird looks a lot like the greater bird-of-paradise. However, the greater bird-of-paradise is bigger. Also, the male greater bird-of-paradise has a dark chest. The female greater bird-of-paradise is completely brown, without the whitish belly that the lesser bird-of-paradise female has.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Male lesser birds-of-paradise are known for their special mating rituals. They are polygamous, which means one male will mate with several females. To attract females, the males gather in special areas called leks. Here, they perform amazing dances and show off their colorful feathers.
After mating, the female bird builds a nest high up in a tree. She usually lays two eggs. These eggs are pinkish with dark spots. The main food for the lesser bird-of-paradise is fruits and insects.
Where These Birds Live
The lesser bird-of-paradise lives in the forests of northern New Guinea. You can also find them on nearby islands like Misool and Yapen.
These birds are quite common in their natural habitat. Because of this, they are listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List. This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. They are also listed on Appendix II of CITES. This means they are protected, and their trade is controlled to make sure their numbers stay healthy.
 | George Robert Carruthers |
 | Patricia Bath |
 | Jan Ernst Matzeliger |
 | Alexander Miles |
