Paradise Riflebird

Scientific Name: Lophorina paradiseus

Size: about 30 cm

What does it look and sound like?

Both Paradise Riflebird sexes have long, slender, decurved bills and short tails. The adult male is velvet black above the oily green below; the crown, throat, breast, and central tail feathers are iridescent. The female is brown and lacks iridescence but the white eyebrow, reddish wings and arrow-like scalloping on the under-parts are distinctive. A loud, explosive ‘yaaas’, sometimes given twice, is the characteristic call. Victoria’s Riflebird Lophorina victoriae, which replaces it in the north-east, is similar.

Where is it found?

The Paradise Riflebird occurs along the Great Dividing Range from around Barrington Tops in central-eastern New South Wales to the Bunya Mountains, south-eastern Queensland. An isolated population also occurs in the Calliope Range, Queensland.

What are its habitats & habits?

The Paradise Riflebird is found in subtropical and temperate rainforests and adjoining wetter eucalypt forests.

It is an active feeder, foraging treecreeper-like up tree trunks and along branches for insects,and other invertebrates. It uses its long curved bill to investigate under barkand within crevices and rotten logs and stumps on the forest floor. Fruit is also eaten.

In-flight, the male’s wings sound like rustling silk.