Indonesia | 1971 | 50 Rupiah | Greater Bird-of-paradise

 

Greater bird-of-paradise




The Greater bird-of-paradise, the largest species in its genus, was named Paradisaea apoda by Linnaeus after early trade skins lacking feet led Europeans to believe it was a “legless” bird from paradise. Males reach about 43 cm and display striking iridescent green, yellow, and maroon plumage with ornate flank plumes, while females are smaller and uniformly maroon-brown. Found in lowland and hill forests of southwest New Guinea and the Aru Islands, it feeds on fruit, seeds, and small insects. A population introduced to Little Tobago in the early 1900s has since disappeared. Despite historic hunting for its plumes, the species remains common in its native range and is classified as Least Concern

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