The bird-of-paradise is famous for the male’s spectacular tail feathers, which grow up to three feet long. Generally solitary birds, males and females only come together to mate. Males gather in a common area called a lek to impress the ladies with an elaborate dance and display.
They flash and shake their brilliantly-colored feathers, clap their wings over their backs, swing upside-down, and shriek wildly. Males mate with as many females as they can.
- Since they have no need to call attention to themselves, females are dull in color and do not have extraordinarily long tail feathers.
- The female builds a cup-shaped nest and raises the chicks all on her own.
- Native people use the bird-of-paradise’s feathers in their traditional ceremonial dress.
- The richly colored bird-of-paradise flower is named for its resemblance to the bird.
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