Abstract
''Wonders from a celestial paradise
.. best known for their extraordin
·ary courtship plumage ... birds of
paradise allied with the relatively
drab, short-plumbed 'architects' and
'artists' - the bower birds have
inspired fascination since their discovery
by Europeans in 1522."
Thomas Gillard wrote these eloquent
phrases in his book Birds of
Paradise, 1964, which brings
together many scientific expeditions,
a true labor of love, searching for the
secrets of these birds. A total of 2,500
books and scientific papers have been
written about these inspiring birds;
still, little is known about breeding,
ecology, parental care and even
geographical distribution of some
species. There are 4 3 known species
of birds of paradise, 33 found in
Papua New Guinea, 12 of which are
endemic.
New Guinea, the second largest
island in the world, is divided politically
into two countries. The western
half, Irian Jaya, is governed by Indonesia.
The eastern half, Papua New
Guinea, became independent from
Australian rule in 1975. The Melanesian
people have literally developed
from the stone age to the electronic
era in two decades. Birds of paradise
are woven culturally into the socioeconomic
status of the over 700
tribes throughout the island. Today,
birds of paradise are still an important
aspect of their lives and rituals. Sing
sings (ceremonial festivals) bring
together the diverse tribes, and clansmen
are fully decorated in ornate
headdress, displaying plumes from
birds of paradise and other species
such as...