Magnificent Riflebird
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| Ptiloris magnificus Vieillot, 1819 |
The Magnificent Riflebird, Ptiloris magnificus, is a medium-sized (up to 34cm long) passerine bird of the Paradisaeidae family. The male is a velvet black bird of paradise with an elongated black filamental flank plumes, iridescent blue green on its crown, wide triangle-shaped breast shield and on central tail feathers. It has a black curved bill, yellow mouth, blackish feet and dark brown iris. The female is a brown bird with dark spotted and barred buff below.
The Magnificent Riflebird is widely distributed throughout lowland rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. The diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods.
Male is polygamous and performs solitary courtship dance. In displays, the male is fully-extended his wings and raised its tail. He hops upward with head swung from side to side, showing its metallic blue green breast shield to the females from its dancing perch.
Widespread and common species in its large range, the Magnificent Riflebird is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Ptiloris magnificus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 29 October 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
