Lekking for a Good Time
by Matthew Huy
Though not poisonous, Raggiana birds of paradise (Paradisaea
raggiana) and magnificent birds of paradise (Cicinnurus
magnificus)—which each share habitat with pitohuis
on the island of New Guinea—exhibit some interesting
habits of their own. Known for loud and complex calls, the
bird of paradise family, Paradisaeidae, contains both monogamous
and polygamous species. The males of the monogamous species
are homebodies, generally dressing in dull shades and sharing
in the rearing of young. Males of the polygamous species,
including the Raggiana and the magnificent, live a little
more wildly. They are well known for their beautiful plumages,
elaborate courtship displays, and labored undulating flight—a
testament to their dignified choice of beauty over speed and
function.
During their mating seasons, these colorful males faithfully attend leks: communal perches where they display, dance, sing, and do just about whatever it takes to attract that special someone. But they offer no help when females have to raise offspring. In both the monogamous and polygamous species, females are drably colored, generally selecting only from the brown section of the feather fashion closet.
Male Raggiana birds of paradise work hard to find a companion. After sparring for a spot on the lek with three to six other birds, they hoot and holler and display, hoping to scare off other males and attract females. Once a female lands on a male’s perch, he begins his best display. He leans forward until his body is nearly inverted: tail up, head down. He then extends and clasps his wings overhead so the female has a clear view of his brilliant and fully displayed plumage. During this exhausting maneuver, the Raggiana female casually sits in front of or beside him, reaches in under the extended wings, and pecks at his beak. After mating, the female quickly flies off and the male resumes his display, searching for his next mate.
The female magnificent bird of paradise expects even more out of her male when he’s putting on the moves. Males first begin their rituals by using their beaks to clear twigs from the forest floor and remove leaves from overhanging branches, so that sunlight can shine on their iridescent feathers. A researcher once observed a male removing twigs so industriously that he paid no attention to a female that landed a few feet away.
Once on the lek, male magnificent birds of paradise also coo and whistle at passing females. Their displays generally consist of five parts. With females flying nearby, the male begins his back display—similar to the Raggiana display—where his body is inverted with tail up so his tail wires and bright colors are fully exposed. The male then usually begins raising and lowering his breast. Once a female lands on his perch, the male gets a little fired up. He begins with the horizontal display—his torso held rigid and horizontal while he bounces his entire body and serenades his date with low chirruping notes that grow with agitation as she approaches. With one swift movement, he transitions to the cape display, neck extended, yellow cape exposed. If he still has his audience captivated (or at least in attendance), the male magnificent eases into the very elaborate dancing display, usually a prelude to mating. Being very excited, he pulsates his breast feathers, opens and closes his beak, bobs his head side-to-side, quivers his tail wires, and dances up and down the perch in short, jerky movements, all the while emitting a low, harsh buzzing song. After mating, the female then flies away. In both the Raggiana and magnificent species, the female alone constructs the nest, rears one to two chicks, and sends them on their way after three to four weeks.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo recently acquired two female Raggiana birds of paradise and one female magnificent bird of paradise, now on exhibit inside the Bird House. And keep an eye out, for the Zoo is making arrangements for a male magnificent bird of paradise to fly into town this spring.
—Matthew Huy ZooGoer 30(2) 2001. Copyright 2001 Friends of the National Zoo. All rights reserved.
