Fauna
Bird

Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise

Paradisaea raggiana

Also known as Count Raggi's Bird-of-Paradise, Raggi's Bird-of-Paradise

Raggiana birds-of-paradise are renowned for the dramatic courtship displays of polygynous males, who gather at traditional forest leks to showcase their brilliant crimson flank plumes. Perched high in the canopy, males clap their wings, shimmer their feathers, and call loudly to attract visiting females. As the national bird and emblem of Papua New Guinea, they play a vital role in seed dispersal across tropical rainforest ecosystems.

TropicalFrugivoreCourtship Display
Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise reference1 / 2
(c) (Photo: Brian McNab), some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFigs, Insects, Spiders
Predators
  • Boshawks
  • Pythons
  • Humans
ThreatsDeforestation and localized hunting for ceremonial feathers
HabitatsLowland rainforests and forest edges
Life span15–25 years
Classification
  1. OrderPasseriformes
  2. FamilyParadisaeidae
  3. GenusParadisaea
  4. SpeciesParadisaea raggiana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Males feature a bright yellow crown, iridescent green throat, and cascading crimson-orange flank plumes.
Support conservation
Maintain a respectful distance from display trees to avoid disrupting critical breeding behaviors.
Responsible observation
  • Listen for Display Calls: Listen for loud, echoing calls in early morning canopy layers near display trees.
  • Observe Leks Quietly: Remain hidden in understory vegetation to watch males perform without startling them.
Related species
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