Arfak Astrapia
A species of Paradise magpies Scientific name : Astrapia nigra Genus : Paradise magpies
Arfak Astrapia, A species of Paradise magpies
Botanical name: Astrapia nigra
Genus: Paradise magpies
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Charley Hesse TROPICAL BIRDING
Description
The Arfak Astrapia is the third largest of its genus, being approximately 76 cm long, including the tail. The male has a black head with a bluish-purple sheen, or iridescence, an elongated jet-black nape crests extending up along the sides of the neck up to the eyes on each side, a shiny, metallic greenish-yellow cape from the mantle up to the nape, very black, dense and elongated upper breast feathers, and an almost exaggeratedly long tail almost two times the length of its body. The female is less appealing, being dark brown over most of its body and a blackish head, and sporting much shorter tail feathers. The female is also exceptionally shorter than the male. Levaillant of France described this bird as L’Incomparable or Incomparable bird-of-paradise.
Size
50 - 60 cm
Feeding Habits
Arfak Astrapia primarily consumes fruits and arthropods. Specific foraging methods and dietary proportions are not well-documented. No unique dietary adaptations are noted.
Habitat
The arfak Astrapia inhabits montane and subalpine forests, typically characterized by a variety of dense, woody vegetation and a relatively cool climate. These forests are part of broader mountainous regions known for their rich biodiversity and complex ecosystems, supporting a range of flora and fauna adapted to higher altitude conditions.
Dite type
Frugivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
Astrapia nigra is endemic to the Arfak Mountains in Vogelkop Peninsula, West Papua.
Species Status
Protected by its geographical isolation and undisturbed forests home, the Arfak astrapia is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
Photo By Charley Hesse TROPICAL BIRDING
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Birds-of-paradise Genus
Paradise magpies Species
Arfak Astrapia