The Blue Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisornis rudolphi) is a stunning and relatively large species of bird-of-paradise, standing out with its beautiful blue plumage enhanced to perfection by its equally mesmerizing dancing in its courtship display. This bird is the only species in the Paradisornis genus, but it was previously included in the genus Paradisaea. Mostly black, the Blue Bird-of-Paradise features a bluish-white bill, dark grey legs, a broken white eye-ring, and bright blue wings.
The male of this species is further adorned with violet-blue and cinnamon-shaded flank plumes, from which emerge two long ribbon-like tail feathers. In comparison, the female is mostly a shade of chestnut brown.
Blue Birds-of-Paradise are thinly distributed in the mountain forests of the Central ranges in southeastern Papua New Guinea.
Being mainly frugivorous, Blue Birds-of-Paradise dine on a wide variety of fruit and berries, but they will occasionally eat animal prey such as insects and reptiles.
During the breeding season, the male puts on a breathtaking display while hanging upside down from a branch, pulsating the black oval with a rid margin on his chest, rhythmically enlarging and contracting its size. At the same time, fanning out his violet-blue plumes, he continuously makes a soft, insect-like buzzing noise, mixed with chittering or chattering. If he is successful in his efforts, the female goes on to build a nest from stems, twigs, palm leaves, and vines in a flat cup-like shape. Usually, one egg is laid within and brooded over by a very defensive would-be mom.
Due to ongoing habitat loss, this bird has a decreasing limited range with a small population size. They are also under threat from hunting for their highly prized plumes, thus Blue Birds-of-Paradise are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
