Standardwing
A species of Bird-of-paradise, Also known as Wallace's Standardwing Scientific name : Semioptera wallacii Genus : Bird-of-paradise
Standardwing, A species of Bird-of-paradise
Also known as:
Wallace's Standardwing
Botanical name: Semioptera wallacii
Genus: Bird-of-paradise
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Don Roberson
Description
The standardwing bird-of-paradise is medium-sized, approximately 28 cm long, and olive brown. The male has a gloss violet-and-lilac coloured crown and emerald-green breast shield. Its most striking features are two pairs of long white plumes coming out from the bend of the wing that can be raised or lowered at the bird's will. The unadorned olive-brown female is smaller but has a longer tail than the male.
Size
23 - 26 cm
Feeding Habits
Standardwing's diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods. While the exact proportions are not specified, fruit appears to be a significant component. They forage in small groups, often within dense lower canopy foliage and occasionally join mixed-species flocks.
Habitat
The standardwing primarily inhabits tropical rainforests, both in lowland regions and hilly areas. These environments are characteristically dense with mature vegetation, including areas of mature secondary woodland. Additionally, the standardwing is known to occupy habitats that feature ephemerally flooded terrains and boulder-strewn creek proximities within these broader ecological settings.
Dite type
Frugivorous
General Info
Behavior
The males are polygamous. They gather and perform a spectacular aerial display, "parachuting" with wings and its vivid green breast shield spread, and the wing "standards" fluttering above its back. Its diet consists mainly of insects, arthropods and fruits.
Distribution Area
The standardwing is endemic to Northern Maluku in eastern Indonesia and is the westernmost species of the true birds-of-paradise. It can be found on the islands of Halmahera and Bacan in lowland tropical rainforests and hills, and occasionally in woodland.
Species Status
A common species in its limited habitat range, the standardwing bird-of-paradise is evaluated as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to its increasingly fragmented habitat. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
Photo By Don Roberson
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Birds-of-paradise Genus
Bird-of-paradise Species
Standardwing