bird-of-paradise | bird | Britannica
bird-of-paradise, (family Paradisaeidae), any of approximately 45 species of small to medium-sized forest birds (order Passeriformes). They are rivalled only by a few pheasants and hummingbirds in colour and in the bizarre shape of the males’ plumage. Courting males perform for hours on a chosen perch or in a cleared space (see lek) on the forest floor. After mating, the plain females generally make the nest and raise the one or two young unaided. Birds-of-paradise occur in New Guinea highlands and on nearby islands; species called manucodes and riflebirds are found also in Australia. The largest manucode is the 45-cm