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King bird-of-paradise
King bird-of-paradise
King bird-of-paradise
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King bird-of-paradise
Male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paradisaeidae
Genus: Cicinnurus
Vieillot, 1816
Species:
C. regius
Binomial name
Cicinnurus regius
Synonyms

Paradisaea regia Linnaeus, 1758

The king bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius) is a passerine bird of the Paradisaeidae (bird-of-paradise) family. It is considered by the IOC checklist to be the only member of the genus Cicinnurus, although the genus Diphyllodes is closely related and is subsumed under Cicinnurus by many other authorities.[2]

The king bird-of-paradise is a common and wide-ranging species, distributed throughout lowland forests of New Guinea and western satellite islands. Some populations range quite high into the hills and lower mountains, and these are poorly known as yet.[3]

The first captive breeding of this species was by Sten Bergman of Sweden in 1958. He was awarded a commemorative medal by the Foreign Bird League to mark this achievement.

Taxonomy

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The king bird-of-paradise was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Paradisaea regius.[4] The type locality is the Aru Islands.[5] It is now the only species placed in the genus Cicinnurus that was introduced in 1816 by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot.[6][7] The genus name combines the Ancient Greek κικιννος/kikinnos meaning "ringlet" or "curled lock of hair" with ουρα/oura meaning "tail. The specific epithet regius is Latin meaning "kingly".[8]

Two subspecies are recognised:[7]

  • C. r. regius (Linnaeus, 1758) – south New Guinea, west Papuan islands and Aru Islands (southwest of New Guinea)
  • C. r. coccineifrons Rothschild, 1896 – north, central, and east New Guinea, and Yapen Island (off northwest New Guinea)

Description

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This so-called "living gem"[9] is the smallest and most vividly colored among birds-of-paradise.

The king bird-of-paradise is small, measuring approximately 6.3–7.5 inches (16–19 cm) long, but 12.2 inches (31 cm) if central rectrices of adult males included.[10] Females weigh about 0.08–0.13 pounds (36–59 g), males 0.10–0.14 pounds (45–64 g).[10]

The adult male has an overall metallic crimson color, slightly orange under certain lights,[11] and more particularly so in the crown. They have a narrow, dark green iridescent breast band with whitish lower breast, and green-tipped fan-like plumes on the shoulder.[10] The feathers of the undertail and mantle are olive-brown, with iridescent green tips, and violet legs.[10] Bills are ivory-yellow. Females have dull olive heads and upperparts with yellowish underparts and violet legs.[12]

Distribution and habitat

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The king bird-of-paradise is distributed throughout the majority of lowland New Guinea mainland, and on the surrounding islands, including Aru, Salawati, Missol, and Yapen, inhabiting mostly lowland rainforests, gallery forests, forest edges, and disturbed and tall secondary forests.

Ecology and behaviour

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There is little information available about this species' behavior. They are inconspicuous and may be hard to locate,[3] except for males at their display trees.[12]

Courtship and breeding

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The species is polygynous, with the promiscuous adult males displaying in isolation at exploded leks and in groups at traditional arboreal courts.[13] They are perhaps more persistent callers than any other birds of paradise. Courtship involves complex vocalizations, feather manipulations, and a variety of body posturing and movements, including hanging fully inverted and pendulum-like swinging.[12] An extraordinary courtship display is performed by the male with a series of tail swinging, fluffing of the white abdominal feathers that makes the bird look like a cotton ball, and acrobatic movements of their elongated tail wires.

Breeding occurs at least during March through October. The open cup nest is built into a tree cavity (unique within the family), within which two eggs are laid. The female builds the nest and cares for the young without male assistance. In captivity, incubation lasted 17 days and the nestling period was 14 days.[12]

Feeding and diet

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The diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods. Foraging occurs at all forest levels, where birds often join mixed-species foraging flocks to seek arthropods in the lower forest.[12]

Conservation status

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The species is tentatively assessed as being in decline due to habitat loss[14] and unsustainable levels of hunting. However, despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, being a widespread and abundant species throughout their large habitat range, the king bird-of-paradise is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[15] It is listed in Appendix II of CITES.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

King bird-of-paradise

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The King bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius) is a small, sexually dimorphic in the family Paradisaeidae, endemic to the lowland rainforests of and nearby islands including the Aru, Salawati, , and Yapen islands. Males measure 16–19 cm in length (up to 31 cm including the tail) and exhibit vibrant plumage with a crimson head, throat, and upperparts, an iridescent green breast shield, white underparts, black spots above the eyes, and elongated wire-like tail feathers tipped with green spiral discs, complemented by blue legs and feet. Females are duller, with olive-brown upperparts, a variegated buff chest, and dark brown barring on the underparts, also featuring blue legs and feet. This species is distinguished by the male's elaborate displays at leks or arboreal courts, involving vibrations, fluffing, tail swinging, and pendulum-like poses to attract multiple females in a polygynous . Inhabiting subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, as well as secondary forests and forest edges, primarily at elevations from to 950 m (mainly below 300–400 m), the King occupies a range spanning approximately 1,260,000 km² across and . It is largely solitary outside of breeding season, foraging in the forest canopy and subcanopy for a diet primarily consisting of fruits and arthropods. Breeding takes place from March to October, with males displaying from October to January; females construct cup-shaped nests alone, incubate the eggs for about 17 days, and care for the nestlings for around 14 days, while males provide no parental support. The species hybridizes occasionally with the (Cicinnurus magnificus). Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its widespread distribution and locally common populations, the King bird-of-paradise faces threats from habitat loss through logging and agricultural expansion, as well as unsustainable hunting for its plumage, which has cultural significance in some Papua New Guinean communities for traditional adornments. It is protected under Appendix II of CITES to regulate international trade, and conservation efforts include protected areas covering parts of its range, though the overall population trend is decreasing. As the smallest and one of the most vividly colored birds-of-paradise, it exemplifies the family's renowned diversity in plumage and display behaviors.

Taxonomy and systematics

Etymology and classification

The king bird-of-paradise was formally described by the Swedish naturalist in the tenth edition of published in 1758, under the binomial name Paradisaea regia, with the type locality designated as the Aru Islands off the southwestern coast of . The specific regius derives from Latin, meaning "royal" or "kingly," reflecting the bird's ornate and majestic . In 1816, the French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot established the Cicinnurus for this species, separating it from the broader Paradisaea based on its distinctive morphology, particularly the curled feathers. The name Cicinnurus combines the words kikinnos (κικιννός), referring to a "curled " or "ringlet," and oura (οὐρά), meaning "," in allusion to the species' specialized sickle-shaped plumes. This taxonomic revision in the early marked a key step in recognizing the diversity within the birds-of-paradise, emphasizing structural differences over superficial similarities in display traits. According to the IOC World Bird List (version 15.1, 2025), Cicinnurus regius is the sole in the monotypic Cicinnurus, though it is phylogenetically close to the Diphyllodes within the Paradisaeidae. Molecular studies place C. regius in a with Diphyllodes magnificus () and Diphyllodes respublica (), with divergence among these lineages estimated at 6–14 million years ago during the . Hybridization has been documented between C. regius and D. magnificus in regions of range overlap, producing intermediate forms that highlight their close evolutionary relationship.

Subspecies and variation

The King bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius) is currently recognized as comprising two within the family Paradisaeidae. The nominate , C. r. regius, inhabits southern and , the Aru Islands, and western Papuan islands including Salawati and ; it features more extensive red plumage across the head, throat, and upperparts compared to the northern form. The subspecies C. r. coccineifrons is distributed in northern from the east coast of Geelvink Bay eastward to the East Ramu River, as well as on Yapen Island; males exhibit a brighter orange-red , reflected in the subspecific name derived from Latin terms for "scarlet" and "." Minor variations in intensity occur due to local across populations, though these do not warrant additional taxonomic divisions. As of 2025, no genetic studies have confirmed further splits beyond these two . Evidence of clinal variation in length has been noted among populations, with gradual changes correlating to geographic gradients.

Physical characteristics

Size and morphology

The is among the smallest members of the Paradisaeidae family, with adult males measuring 16 cm in body length but reaching up to 31 cm when including the elongated central rectrices, and weighing 43–65 g. Females exhibit slight sexual size dimorphism, with a body length of 19 cm and weights ranging from 38–58 g, making males the heavier sex despite their shorter body. Overall body proportions emphasize a compact build suited to forest understory . Key morphological features include a sharply keeled upper of the culmen, forming a curved bill that facilitates precise manipulation of fruits and . The legs are robust and adapted for perching on vertical stems and branches in dense vegetation. In males, the central tail feathers are notably elongated and wire-like, terminating in racket-like structures that enhance structural display capabilities without compromising overall agility.

Plumage and sexual dimorphism

The adult male King bird-of-paradise exhibits striking plumage characterized by an overall metallic crimson coloration, with bright red upperparts extending from the head, throat, and mantle to the back, rump, and upperwing-coverts, often showing subtle white iridescence on the elongated feathers. The head features a crimson base accented by an orange forecrown and tuft, with black spots glossed in green over the eyes; the lower throat is crimson with pale buff tips, while the breast displays a narrow iridescent dark green shield. Underparts are predominantly white from the lower breast to the vent, with olive-brown pectoral flank plumes tipped in metallic green; the central tail feathers are elongated into distinctive wire-like shafts, tipped with iridescent green spiral discs that enhance visual appeal. The bill is ivory-yellow with a sharply keeled culmen, eyes are pale to dark brown, and legs and feet are cobalt-blue. In contrast, the adult possesses cryptic suited for concealment, with olive-brown upperparts including , mantle, back, and , where feathers on the greater coverts, , and rectrices have rusty edges but lack the male's ornamental wires. Underparts are buff on the breast, flanks, and lower belly, becoming whitish with fine dark brown barring on the flanks and vent; the head shows a paler superciliary area above the eye, and the bill, legs, and feet are duller than in males. Juveniles resemble females but are duller overall, with a grey-brown crown tinged russet, grey-brown upperparts and , darker brown wing feathers edged red-brown on greater coverts and outer primaries, and underparts featuring a grey chin with brownish-yellow streaks or spots, pale grey breast with dark barring; the bill is horn-colored, eyes grey-brown, and legs a paler blue. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in this species, as in most birds-of-paradise, with males displaying vibrant, iridescent colors and specialized feather structures—such as the breast shield, flank plumes, and tail discs—for mate attraction, while females exhibit subdued, barred olive-brown tones that provide during nesting. Additionally, males show biofluorescence on the flank, belly, and chest under blue light, peaking at green (~520 nm) and greenish-yellow (~560 nm) wavelengths, which is less extensive in females on their mottled chest and belly. Like other birds-of-paradise, the King bird-of-paradise undergoes an annual post-breeding molt, during which males temporarily lose their ornamental feathers and adopt a duller, female-like eclipse before regaining breeding colors.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The King bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius) is native to the lowland forests of , occurring across both the Indonesian () and Papua New Guinean sides of the island, as well as the western Papuan islands of Salawati and , the Aru Islands, and Yapen Island. The spans approximately 130°E to 150°E , covering an extent of of about 1,260,000 km², and is largely restricted to elevations below 1,000 m, with the majority of observations from to 400 m. No outside this native range have been documented as of 2025. The has a large and continuous distribution, consistent with its classification as Least Concern.

Habitat preferences

The King (Cicinnurus regius) primarily inhabits lowland tropical rainforests, including monsoon forests, gallery forests, and forest edges, across and nearby islands. These environments feature dense, multi-layered canopies that support the species' arboreal lifestyle. The bird tolerates a range of types, occurring in both primary and tall areas, as well as disturbed habitats such as selectively logged sites, though it exhibits a clear for relatively undisturbed primary interiors. Its altitudinal range spans from up to 950 m, with most populations concentrated below 400 m.

Behavior and ecology

Social behavior and displays

The King bird-of-paradise maintains a polygynous social structure, in which males are promiscuous and defend small leks typically comprising 1 to 5 individuals spaced 45–90 m apart in exploded leks or traditional arboreal courts within forest clearings. Outside the breeding season, individuals are largely solitary, with minimal social interactions beyond occasional territorial disputes. Daily activities are centered in the forest canopy, where the birds are arboreal and diurnal, with territorial males perching prominently and vocalizing persistently throughout the day to maintain their display sites. These vocalizations serve dual purposes in defense and mate attraction, often consisting of high-pitched whistles and mechanical buzzes or whirrs. Courtship displays, occurring primarily from to , involve elaborate acrobatic performances by males at leks to attract females. Males upright, vibrate their wings, hold their body parallel to the branch while spreading pectoral feathers, raise their elongated tail wires over the head, bob their heads, and fluff their plumes to showcase vibrant red and white coloration. The display escalates with side-to-side swinging of the tail and body, culminating in the male hanging upside down and pendulum-like swinging, accompanied by persistent whistles and buzzes. Interspecific interactions are limited but include occasional aggression toward similar species in shared habitats, as well as documented hybridization with the (Diphyllodes magnificus) in zones of range overlap on islands. Recent genomic analyses have confirmed contemporary intergeneric hybridization and with this species in natural settings.

Reproduction and breeding

The king bird-of-paradise exhibits a polygynous , with males attracting multiple females through lek-based displays but providing no after copulation. The breeding season spans March to October, peaking during the in its New Guinean range. Females construct and attend the nests independently, laying a clutch of 1–2 eggs. Nests are small, open cup-shaped structures built from twigs, rootlets, and other plant materials, typically positioned in tree cavities or natural hollows at low heights of 2–5 m to offer concealment from predators, a placement unique within the family. The female alone incubates the eggs for approximately 17 days, during which she may perform distraction displays to deter threats. Hatching produces altricial young that remain in the nest for a nestling period of about 14 days. Post-fledging, the female continues to feed and protect the dependent fledglings for 2–3 weeks until they achieve independence. Breeding success is generally low, primarily due to high rates of nest predation in the lowland rainforest habitat. The polygynous system results in highly variable reproductive success among males, with some achieving multiple matings while others secure none.

Diet and foraging

The King bird-of-paradise maintains an omnivorous diet dominated by frugivory, with fruits comprising the majority of its intake and arthropods accounting for more than 10%. It consumes a range of fruit types, including figs, capsules, and drupes or berries, which are harvested while perched and either swallowed whole or eaten in pieces depending on size. Arthropods such as insects and spiders supplement the diet and are primarily obtained by gleaning from foliage, bark, and dead wood. Nectar from flowers is consumed occasionally, particularly by probing blossoms. Individuals forage solitarily or in small groups, frequently joining mixed-species flocks that may include other birds of paradise such as Cicinnurus magnificus and Paradisaea species to enhance food access. takes place across multiple forest strata, from the canopy to the , with birds approaching fruiting trees cautiously, perching to feed for brief intervals of 2–5 minutes, and then departing. Arthropods are gleaned directly from surfaces without aerial pursuits, while fruits are accessed by perching rather than hovering. This contributes to forest ecosystem dynamics through its frugivory, serving as a key agent of by regurgitating or defecating intact seeds at distant sites, which promotes plant recruitment and regeneration in New Guinean rainforests. It interacts with other frugivores by competing for limited resources, particularly during periods of abundance in shared species.

Conservation status

The King bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius) is classified as Least Concern on the as of the most recent assessment, though its population trend is tentatively assessed as decreasing due to ongoing pressures. The global remains unknown, with no comprehensive surveys available; however, the species is reported as locally common within intact lowland forests. Primary threats include habitat loss driven by and agricultural conversion, which have reduced New Guinea's lowland forests at an average annual rate of approximately 0.2% (2001–2022). Unsustainable hunting for the striking male plumes, used in traditional cultural attire, further exacerbates declines, particularly in areas with high human activity. Quantified modeling of impacts predicts significant range contraction for forest-dependent like the King , with projections indicating elevated risks for similar taxa due to projected loss through the .

Protection and management

The King (Cicinnurus regius) is protected under Appendix II of the Convention on in of Wild Fauna and Flora (), which regulates in specimens to prevent while allowing sustainable commerce. This listing, applicable to all in the Paradisaeidae , has been in effect since the convention's inception in 1975, with 185 national parties enforcing permits for exports. Conservation actions include habitat protection within key national parks, such as in Papua, , which safeguards extensive lowland rainforests essential for the species and hosts over 500 bird species, including multiple . In , community-based programs engage local landowners to conserve bird-of-paradise sites, such as those around Lake Kutubu, where clans register interests to protect display areas and reduce traditional plume harvesting for cultural use. These initiatives, supported by organizations like WWF, promote sustainable practices that balance indigenous traditions with biodiversity preservation. Ongoing research and monitoring are led by , which assesses the species' status through global data compilation and identifies conservation sites across its range. Ecotourism holds potential in areas like the Aru Islands, , where interest in observing the species' displays supports local economies and incentivizes . The population outlook remains stable overall due to habitat protections in intact New Guinean forests, classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though a decreasing trend underscores the need for strengthened enforcement to curb unsustainable . As of 2025, commitments like the Manokwari Declaration aim to maintain 70% forest cover in , enhancing long-term viability.

References

  1. https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/birds-of-paradise/king-bird-of-paradise/
  2. https://animalia.bio/king-bird-of-paradise
  3. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/king-bird-of-paradise-cicinnurus-regius
  4. https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=77A0EB9D4BA3E00C
  5. https://factsanddetails.com/indonesia/Nature_Science_Animals/sub6_8d/entry-9316.html
  6. https://bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2148-9-235
  7. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/mbopar2/cur/introduction
  8. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.kbopar1.01
  9. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/kbopar1/cur/introduction
  10. https://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-king-bird-of-paradise.html
  11. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241905
  12. https://ebird.org/species/kbopar1
  13. https://pngbirds.myspecies.info/content/cicinnurus-regius
  14. https://earthlife.net/king-bird-of-paradise/
  15. https://academic.oup.com/evlett/article/8/5/680/7690153
  16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-004-0468-7
  17. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=20950&context=auk
  18. https://www.zoologyverse.com/king-bird-of-paradise-cicinnurus-regius
  19. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/PNG/
  20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725004991
  21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26991445/
  22. https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php
  23. https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/app/2025/E-Appendices-2025-02-07.pdf
  24. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/955/
  25. https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_newsletter__niugini_tokasave_2nd_edition__1_.pdf
  26. https://forestsnews.cifor.org/94107/feathers-papua-new-guinea-bird-conservation?fnl=
  27. https://news.mongabay.com/podcast/podcast-defending-new-guineas-forests-with-birds-of-paradise-and-ecotourism/
  28. https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/west-papua-and-the-birds-of-paradise/
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