Ribbon Tailed Bird of Paradise.....

Ribbon Tailed Astrapia

Astrapia Mayeri:

The Ribbon-tailed Astrapia also recognized as Shaw Mayer's Astrapia, which is a medium sized, up to 32 cm long (excluding the tail of the male, which is normally over 1 meter), velvet black bird of paradise. Though Ribbon-tailed Astrapia is in fact a Bird of Paradise. Ribbon-tailed Astrapia is more spectacular appearance in its male form. They have iridescent olive green, blue, and bronze plumage around their heads, and  is

adorned with decorative “ball” quill on beak and two long white ribbon like tail feathers (almost over three times of body size of fully grown up young) with shiny black bodies. They sport the longest tail feathers (in comparison to body size) of any bird. 

Ribbon Tailed Astrapia

Females appear to be dull brownish black as compare to male, and do not have a fancy tail. But again, they don't need such splendor expositions to mate. The males compete in a Lek system (regular visit to some place), and jump from branch to branch flaunting their plumage. Females select for themselves who they want to breed with, after mating they go off to nest and incubate alone, where the camouflaging brown certainly comes in convenience.

Young Ribbon Tailed Astrapia

Range & Habitat:

They are endemic to a small range (Subalpine Forests) in western parts of central highlands of Papua New Guinea, where they are fortunately still common due to their remote environment. Ribbon-tailed Astrapia are common in their range, the fact is that due to habitat lost and hunted for its plumes the Ribbon tailed Astrapia is listed as near threatened. Interestingly, they share their little patch of land with another species, the Princess Stephanie's Astrapia, and both are known to mate and produce hybrids. The genus name Astrapia is Greek for "flashing" which is adequate for a group of marvelous plumed little exhibition. The Ribbon-tailed Astrapia is the latest bird of paradise to be discovered.