Splendid paradise of paradise
| Splendid paradise of paradise | ||||||||||||
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Splendid paradise of paradise |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Astrapia splendidissima | ||||||||||||
| Rothschild , 1895 |
The splendid paradise magpie ( Astrapia splendidissima ), also called splendid astrapia , is a species of bird from the family of the birds of paradise (Paradisaeidae). It occurs exclusively in a very small mountain area in western New Guinea. It is one of the birds of paradise in which both sexes have an elongated middle control spring pair.
The IUCN classifies the stock situation of the magnificent paradise magpie as safe ( least concern ). There are two subspecies.
description
Body type and measurements
The males of the fan-paradise magpie reach a body length of 39 centimeters without the extended middle control feathers, of which the tail plumage has a length of 14.8 to 17.5 centimeters except for the extended middle control feathers. The middle pair of control springs is 19 to 21.3 centimeters long.
The females also have a long tail plumage with a middle pair of control feathers that protrude over the rest of the tail plumage. Without the extended, central pair of control springs, they reach a body length of 37 centimeters. 16.6 to 20.4 centimeters of this is accounted for by the normal tail plumage. The middle pair of control springs reaches a length of 18.3 to 23 centimeters. The beak has a length of 3.7 to 4.2 centimeters. They weigh between 108 and 151 grams.
male
The crown of the head, the nape of the neck and the coat are shiny metallic, yellowish green. The chin and throat are metallic blue-green and have deep blue to purple highlights in certain lighting conditions. The back is velvet black with a magenta sheen. The body and the upper tail-coverts are matt black. The wings are dark gray-brown with a partly deep dark blue sheen. The four middle pairs of the control springs have individually differently sized white bases and some white spring shafts. Apart from that, the nibs are black-brown with a slight magenta sheen on the black, wide spatula-shaped tips of the middle pair of control nibs.
On the chest runs a broad, strongly metallic, shiny bronze-red band that runs along the sides of the chest to just below the eyes. The rest of the underside of the body is oily, shiny, dark green. Individual feathers shimmer lime green on the sides. The thighs, the rump and the under tail-coverts are matt black-brown. The beak is glossy black, the iris is dark brown to blackish brown, the legs and feet are lead gray.
In their first year of life, the males initially resemble the adult females and then gradually switch to the plumage of the adult males.
female
The female is slightly more pinnate than the male. The head, neck and throat are black-brown with a dull blue-green sheen. Some individuals are dark maroon at the nape of the neck. The coat, the back and the wings are dark gray-brown, the trunk and the upper tail-coverts are a little lighter. The front breast is dark gray-brown. The rest of the underside of the body is light brown, the hue of some individuals can be light red-brown.
Distribution area, subspecies and habitat
The splendid paradise of paradise occurs in western New Guinea, where it populates the high mountains inland. A distinction is made between the following two subspecies:
- A. s. splendidissima - Rothschild, 1895 - From the Weyland Mountains as the westernmost distribution area and the Charles Louis Mountains to the Paniai Lakes.
- A. s. helios - Mayr, 1936 - The distribution area extends from the east of the Paniai Lakes to the Hindenburg Mountains and at least the Victor Emanuel Mountains. The eastern limit of distribution is not yet completely certain.
The distribution area reaches in part to that of the narrow-tailed paradise magpie. The splendid paradise of paradise occurs in its area of distribution at altitudes between 1750 and 3450 meters, with it being found most frequently between 2100 and 2700 meters above sea level. Here it settles in mountain forests up to the tree line. It also occurs at forest edges and can also be found in secondary forests . They are probably standing birds .
food
The splendid paradise of paradise eats fruits, invertebrates and small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards. It finds its food in an area that extends from three meters above the ground to the treetops. She has been observed several times as she systematically searched moss-covered branches and tree trunks for animal food. However, the contents of a female's stomach also contained numerous seeds from screw trees . In addition, the fruits of radiation aralia play a bigger role in their diet.
Reproduction
The reproductive biology of the magnificent paradise magpie has so far been little researched. It is very likely to be polygynous , that is, a male mates with several females if possible. The females raise the offspring alone. The courtship behavior is unknown. Only once in November were four males observed, each sitting exposed on branches at a distance of about 40 meters and shouting loudly. The calls of other individuals could be heard, but the birds were not visible. After about 10 minutes, two individuals in the plumage of females appeared. Since not yet sexually mature males initially resemble females, it cannot be said with certainty that they are females.
Nest, clutch size, breeding season and the development of the young birds are still unknown.
Magnificent paradise star and people
The hides and feathers of birds of paradise are made into head and body jewelry by indigenous peoples of New Guinea. The splendid paradise star seems to be one of the species that is less valued and therefore hunted less often.
literature
- Bruce M. Beehler , Thane K. Pratt: Birds of New Guinea; Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics . Princeton University Press, Princeton 2016, ISBN 978-0-691-16424-3 .
- Clifford B. Frith, Bruce M. Beehler : The Birds of Paradise - Paradisaeidae . Oxford University Press, Oxford 1998, ISBN 0-19-854853-2 .
Single receipts
- ↑ a b c d e Handbook of the Birds of the World zur Pracht-Paradieselster , accessed on July 12, 2017
- ↑ a b c Frith & Beehler: The Birds of Paradise - Paradisaeidae . P. 255.
- ↑ Frith & Beehler: The Birds of Paradise - Paradisaeidae . P. 253.
- ↑ a b Frith & Beehler: The Birds of Paradise - Paradisaeidae . P. 254.
- ↑ Frith & Beehler: The Birds of Paradise - Paradisaeidae . P. 257.