Elongated black filament flank plumes and an iridescent blue-green crown combine with a magnificent metallic triangle-shaped breast shield.
Known for their spectacular mating dance while wearing an iridescent blue-green crown and metallic blue chest, this bird could quite possibly be the most flamboyant member of his species.
Meet the Magnificent riflebird
The Magnificent riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), is a species of passerine bird of the Paradisaeidae family. Up to 34 cm long, the male is a velvet-black bird of paradise with elongated black filament flank plumes and an iridescent blue-green crown along with a magnificent metallic triangle-shaped breast shield. This bird’s central tail feathers are a similar shade of blue. The bill is curved and jet black, the mouth is yellow, the feet black, and the iris a dark brown.
The female is a brownish color with dark spots and buff bars below, finished off with a white brow.
The juvenile male resembles the male, however having fewer tail plumes.
“File:Magnificent Riflebird.jpg” by Eric Gropp is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
The Magnificent Riflebird is found throughout lowland rainforests of New Guinea, and in Northeastern Australia, in the Cape York area.
These birds are found in lowland Rainforest areas where they dine mainly on fruit and arthropods.
Males are polygamous, during the breeding season they perform a courtship display on a ‘dancing perch.’ He hops around, extends his wings, raising his tail, swinging his head from side to side, showing off his metallic blue-green breast shield. This whole display is observed by a group of females, who if they a suitably impressed reward the male with copulations. The female will then build a nest, incubate, brood, and then feed the young on her own.
Considered widespread throughout their range, the Magnificent Riflebird is evaluated as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red Least of Threatened Species.
Watch and listen to this bird right here below:
