REPTILIA: ARCHOSAURIA: AVES: CORVIDAE: Paradisaea

Paradisaea raggiana Author and date

Count Raggi's bird of Paradise  

Photos and text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range: Papua New Guinea, in coastal lowlands of the north and south coasts.

Diagnosis: Males have a bright yellow head an neck, dark green throat, and long orange plumes. Females lack bars and have a dull yellow head and nape.

Description: A moderate, 37 cm / 14 Inch perching bird. Males of most populations have a distinct yellow band encircling the neck (see photo above), but others do not. Belly and back plumage are brown or rusty brown and unpatterned. 

VMNH Director Robert Sprackland with male Bird of Paradise without mating plumage.

Natural History:

Reproduction: A single egg per is laid per season after birds go through an elaborate courtship and mating ritual.

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:

Additional Comments: The call of this species is harsh and loud.

Type Specimen:

Literature: Click to order book.

Beehler, B., T. Pratt, and D. Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press ISBN: 0-691-02394-8.

Everett, Michael. 1978. Birds of Paradise. Chartwell Books.