Wilson’s Bird of Paradise: Facts, Diet & Pictures

Wilson’s Bird of Paradise is a small and colorful bird found mainly on the islands of Indonesia. This bird captures attention in bird exhibits across the United States. This bird is famous for its bright blue crown, emerald green chest, and red back. Males perform amazing dances to attract females which shows off their brilliant feathers.

Wilson’s Bird of Paradise lives in lowland rainforests and loves quiet areas. Bird lovers admire its perfect mix of colors and its lively behavior. Its attractive look makes it one of the most admired exotic birds worldwide.

Images of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise

Characteristics of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise

This bird appears quite attractive and different compared to other birds. Here are certain characteristics of this special bird:

Life Span of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise

Wilson’s Bird of Paradise lives around 5 to 8 years in the wild. It can live up to 10 years with proper care in the human captivity.

Interesting Facts Related to Wilson’s Bird of Paradise

This bird is quite rare but possess some very eye-catching habits which can grab the attention of the humans. Here are certain interesting facts related to this bird:

1. Blue Crown That Looks Artificial

This bird has a bald and bright-blue crown that looks like it was painted. This color comes from structural light reflection and not pigment. It glows with a neon effect in the sunlight.

No feathers grow on this crown and it’s completely skin. This makes it stand out from other birds. It’s one of the first things birdwatchers notice.

2. Lives Only on Two Small Islands

This bird is native to only Waigeo and Batanta, two islands in Indonesia. That means it doesn’t migrate or live elsewhere naturally. American zoos rarely inhabit it and this limited range makes it rare.

3. Males Clean Their Dance Floor

Males clear the ground before performing mating dances. They remove leaves, twigs, and debris. This cleaning helps keep the focus on their movements.

It’s a unique behavior compared to other birds and shows how much effort they put into impressing females. Scientists call it “courtship maintenance.”

4. Spiral-Shaped Tail Feathers

The male bird has two curled tail feathers. These feathers twist outward in a perfect spiral and they appear like wire or decorative swirls. The tail moves rhythmically during dance.

It’s one of the bird’s most exotic features. Few birds on Earth have this type of tail.

5. They Perform an “Upside-Down” Dance

Males sometimes hang upside down from branches. They spread their wings and display their chest while hanging. This acrobatic move shows off every feather.

The behavior is rare among birds as it requires strong claws and coordination. It’s only seen during the peak mating season.

6. They Use a “Flash” Display

Males flash their chest feathers like a signal. These feathers can fold and spread rapidly. They form a vibrant and glowing pattern when they spread.

This surprise movement attracts female attention which is a visual signal used in courtship. No sound or call is involved in this trick.

7. They Have a Mask-Like Face

The bird’s face appears mask-like due to color patches. The skin turns black around the beak and eyes. The bright blue crown stands out more because of this.

This gives the bird a superhero-like look. These contrasts make them striking in the wild and many artists use it as inspiration.

8. Not Found in U.S. Wildlife Parks

Wilson’s Bird of Paradise is nearly impossible to find in the U.S. Only a few specialized aviaries outside the country have them. Most Americans know them through documentaries.

That adds to their mystery and appeal. The bird remains a symbol of untouched rainforest life and travel bloggers often highlight them.

9. Feathers Can Bend Light

Some of their feathers reflect light in a unique way. These are called structurally colored feathers. They bend light to show color instead of using pigments.

This causes a shimmering effect which can make the colors appear unreal. It’s part of what makes them so famous.

10. Only the Male Has Bright Colors

Female Wilson’s Birds of Paradise are brown and simple. Only males display the vivid blues, reds, yellows, and greens. This sexual dimorphism helps females stay camouflaged.

Males use their bright colors only for attracting mates. The contrast between sexes is extreme which reflects strong evolutionary pressure.

11. Very Quiet Compared to Other Birds

Wilson’s Bird of Paradise is not noisy unlike many tropical birds. Males use physical display more than calls. Their calls are soft and short which helps them stay hidden from predators.

It also forces females to find them through movement rather than sound. That’s unusual for birds of paradise.

12. Strong Visual Memory in Males

Males remember the exact layout of their display site. If something moves or changes, they’ll fix it before dancing. They check lighting, angles, and shadows.

This diaplays strong spatial awareness and scientists compare it to a stage designer. It’s part of what makes their display so effective.

13. Don’t Build Traditional Nests

Females build nests, but males don’t help at all. The female takes over all responsibilities after mating. She builds the nest using soft materials from the forest.

It’s often placed low in dense foliage. The male leaves to attract another mate which is typical in birds of paradise.

14. Only Bird With That Crown Color

No other bird in the world has a natural crown like Wilson’s. The glowing blue is truly unique. It can even reflect UV light, visible to birds but not humans. This gives it extra power in bird vision.

15. Tiny but Highly Energetic

This bird is only about 6 inches long. It performs energetic dances despite its small size. The main movements include hops, turns, and full-body waves.

The energy output is very high for its size and requires high-calorie food to sustain this. Insects and fruits are its main diet.

Sightseeing of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise

This bird is occassionaly seen in USA and only in zoos and places where non-native birds are kept.

Photography Tips for Getting Amazing Clicks of Wilson’s Bird of Paradise

Here are certain photography tips which can help you get good photos of this amazing bird:

• Use a telephoto lens (300mm or more) to capture Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise without disturbing its behavior.

• Set your camera to burst mode to catch its fast and unpredictable movements during courtship.

• Shoot during early morning light to get clear colors of its bright feathers.

• Stay low and still with camouflage clothing to avoid scaring the bird away.

• Use manual focus when photographing through dense forest layers to keep the bird sharp.

This rarely found bird possesses very attractive appearence and its breath-taking movements catch the attention of the visitors. These birds are observed to be very active during mating time and normally keep their tone silent. These birds are quite brightly colored and naturally have a mask like face. Their feathers can change the direction of light and they have a unique crown.

Most Asked Questions

1. Where can I see Wilson’s Bird of Paradise in the wild?

You can only see Wilson’s Bird of Paradise in the wild on two small islands in Indonesia: Waigeo and Batanta.

2. Why is Wilson’s Bird of Paradise so colorful?

The male has bright colors to attract females during mating; it’s a natural trait driven by sexual selection.

3. Can I keep Wilson’s Bird of Paradise as a pet in the U.S.?

No, it’s a protected species and illegal to own as a pet in the United States.

4. What does Wilson’s Bird of Paradise eat?

It eats fruit, insects, and small invertebrates found in the rainforest undergrowth.