insect · GBIF taxon 1937514
Rajah Brooke's Birdwing
Trogonoptera brookianaAlso known as Rajah Brooke
These striking, electric-green and velvety-black butterflies are famous for their dramatic wing patterns resembling stylized feathers. Males gather in large, spectacular aggregations along muddy riverbanks and hot springs to sip mineral-rich water, while the larger, more elusive females spend most of their lives high in the rainforest canopy. As the national butterfly of Malaysia, they serve as a flagship species for the conservation of Southeast Asia's pristine primary rainforests.
TropicalProtectedDiurnal
1 / 6- diet
- Caterpillars feed on Aristolochia vines; adults drink flower nectar and mineral-rich water.
- family
- Papilionidae
- threats
- Habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and illegal poaching for the insect trade.
- life Span
- Approximately 3 to 4 months as adults.
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Listed under CITES Appendix II due to heavy pressure from the illegal specimen trade and rapid habitat loss.
Never capture or handle wild specimens; support local conservation by photographing them from a distance.- Look near water: Search for males puddling on damp sand or near hot springs in the early morning.
- Scan the canopy: Look high in the forest layers to spot the elusive, less colorful females.
- Observe quietly: Approach puddling groups slowly to avoid startling them into flight.