Blue Bird-of-Paradise, Paradisaea rudolphi.
Source: © Australian Museum
Photographer: Carl Bento
Discover the extraordinary and exotic birds-of-paradise in this colourful exhibition.
Featuring over 60 spectacular bird specimens native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and northern Australia, Birds of Paradise explores the evolution of these beautiful feathered creatures and their importance to the PNG tribes who share their forest home. Discover the famous dancing displays of birds-of-paradise, in which males show off their exotic plumage to attract a female for mating, as well as how the clans of Papua New Guinea identify with these birds, using their feathers for decoration and symbolism.
Birds of Paradise looks at how both birds and people engage in a variety of decoration, display and dance rituals to draw attention to themselves – often as part of courtship – and the close relationship between birds-of-paradise and people.
An exhibition developed and toured by the Australian Museum.