Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise

The twelve-wired bird-of-paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus) is a medium-sized bird-of-paradise about 33cm-long. The male has a red iris, black shoulders and wings, a long black bill and rich yellow plumes along its sides and stomach. From the rear of these plumes come twelve blackish, wire-like filaments, which bend back near their bases to sweep forward over the birds hindquarters.

Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise
BxZ Seleucidis melanoleuca 00a.jpg
Scientific classification
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Seleucidis

Lesson, 1835
Binomial name
Seleucidis melanoleucus

The female is a brown bird with black-barred buffy underparts. Its feet are strong, large-clawed and pink in color.

It is the only species in the monotypic genus Seleucidis. The male displays on an exposed vertical perch with its breast-shield flared. They eat fruits and arthropods.

The bird is found in lowland forests, New Guinea and Salawati Island of Irian Jaya.

Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise Media

References