Manucode facts for kids

Manucodes are a type of bird-of-paradise. They are medium-sized birds with shiny black feathers that often shimmer with purple and green colors.

Unlike many other birds-of-paradise, male and female manucodes look very similar. They also tend to stay with one partner for life. These birds live in the low-lying forests of New Guinea and the islands nearby.

A Dutch scientist named Pieter Boddaert first described these birds in 1783. He named the group Manucodia. The name comes from an old Javanese word, Manuk dewata, which means "birds of the gods."

Types of Manucodes

There are five different kinds of manucodes. Each one has its own special home.

• Glossy-mantled manucode (Manucodia ater): These birds live in the lowlands of New Guinea and nearby islands.
• Tagula manucode (Manucodia alter): You can find this type only on Tagula Island in the Louisiade Archipelago.
• Jobi manucode (Manucodia jobiensis): This manucode lives in the lowland forests of Jobi Island and northern New Guinea.
• Crinkle-collared manucode (Manucodia chalybatus): These birds are found in New Guinea and Misool Island in West Papua.
• Curl-crested manucode (Manucodia comrii): This species lives in Papua New Guinea.

A Curl-crested manucode, a type of manucode.

See also

In Spanish: Manucodia para niños