Blue Bird-of-Paradise

The blue bird-of-paradise is a medium-sized bird-of-paradise. Regarded by some ornithologists as the loveliest of all birds, the blue bird-of-paradise was discovered by Carl Hunstein in 1884.

The species is approximately 30 cm long, black with a bluish-white bill, dark brown iris, grey legs, broken white eye-ring and bright blue wings. The male is adorned with violet blue and cinnamon flank plumes and two long ribbon-like tail feathers. The female has a chestnut brown below.

The male is polygamous and performs a breathtaking courtship display. But unlike all other birds of paradise species, he performs solitary with attending female nearby. In display, the male hangs from a branch upside down.

 

The black oval with red margin at the centre of his chest is rhythmically enlarged and contracted. His violet blue plumes spread out in a fan, swaying its body back and forth while the central tail feathers form two impressive arches down to either side.  

Sources : Google Images & Wikipedia