Hello! Today, let’s talk about a fascinating foreign bird, the Superb Bird of Paradise, which a friend asked me to introduce.
The Superb Bird of Paradise belongs to the Paradisaeidae family in the Passeriformes order. Their feathers are incredibly unique, possessing a super-black quality that absorbs almost all light. By absorbing 99.95% of visible light, they do not reflect any shine, making the blue parts stand out strikingly. It’s a curious sight, as if blue lights are floating in pitch-black darkness. These ultra-black feathers play a crucial role during the male’s courtship dance, emphasizing the blue parts to enchant the females.
Inhabiting the Vogelkop region of New Guinea, these birds were previously often mistaken for a more widely distributed species of the Superb Bird of Paradise. However, research by Cornell University has revealed that they are a clearly distinct species based on their courtship dance, vocalizations, and the appearance of the females. The fan-shaped formation of the male’s feathers is also evidence of their unique species status.
In fact, the Superb Bird of Paradise is endemic to New Guinea. This led to the reclassification of the traditional species as the “Greater Superb Bird of Paradise,” and the newly identified species as the “Superb Bird of Paradise.”
Their courtship dance, performed to enchant the females, is a true romance of the natural world. It evolved in regions free from predators, serving almost like a social gathering specifically for them.
Unfortunately, they cannot be seen in Japan, but their existence teaches us about the astonishing diversity and beauty of life on Earth. Until next time!
