Superb Bird-of-paradise

The Superb Bird-of-paradise is a mid-sized species best known for one of the most extraordinary courtship displays in the bird world. At rest, the male appears mostly black with an iridescent blue-green crown and a modest breast shield.

During display, he erects an oversized black occipital cape over his head and back and expands an iridescent blue breast shield outward, together forming an almost perfectly oval, seemingly two-dimensional shape often described as resembling a smiling alien face. Females and immatures are cryptic, with dark brown barred plumage typical of many bird-of-paradise females.

Key field marks

• Male at rest: velvety black body with iridescent blue-green crown patch
• Male displaying: raised black cape forms an oval silhouette with a bright blue crescent breast shield
• Female: dark brown body with fine barring below, no ornamental feathers

Similar species

• Recent taxonomy split the former "Superb Bird-of-paradise" into two species: Lophorina superba (this species) and the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-paradise (Lophorina niedda) from the Bird's Head Peninsula, distinguished mainly by display shape and range
• Female/immature plumage can resemble other Lophorina and Astrapia females, best separated by range and habitat elevation

Habitat

Mid-montane rainforest, typically between about 1,300 and 2,850 m elevation.

Range

Widespread across the central mountain ranges of New Guinea, excluding the Bird's Head Peninsula (home to the related Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-paradise).

Migration

Non-migratory resident of montane forest, generally remaining within an elevational band year-round.

Behavior

Males display solo on cleared display logs or the forest floor, snapping open the black cape and blue breast shield into an oval shape while hopping and vibrating in front of an observing female.

Voice

Harsh, buzzy calls and mechanical-sounding clicks, along with softer notes during the display sequence.

Feeding

Forages on fruit in the forest canopy and understory, supplemented with insects and other small invertebrates.

Nesting and breeding

Polygynous; females alone build the nest, incubate, and raise chicks without help from the male.