What does the superb bird of paradise form during display?

A black cape with a blue smile shape

Why did early Europeans think the birds had no feet?

They hide their legs in feathers

Where are feathers used in Papua New Guinea today?

In highland festival headdresses

Birds of Paradise Quiz: Papua New Guinea's Dancing Plumage

This birds of paradise quiz enters the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, where males dance and pose in wild plumage. Play 10 interactive questions on how many species exist, the Raggiana bird on the national flag, the superb bird of paradise's black cape, legless trade skins, Alfred Russel Wallace, headdresses at highland shows and why females choose the showiest males.

Start Birds of Paradise Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Country
Which country's flag shows a bird of paradise?
Flag
Which species appears on that flag?
Count
Roughly how many species of birds of paradise exist?
Display
Why do males have such showy plumes?
Cape
What does the superb bird of paradise form during display?
Legless
Why did early Europeans think the birds had no feet?
Naturalist
Which naturalist studied them in the 1850s?
Show
Where are feathers used in Papua New Guinea today?
Home
In which habitat do most species live?
Food
What do many birds of paradise eat?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which country's flag shows a bird of paradise?
Answer: Papua New Guinea
It appears in gold on red.
Q2: Which species appears on that flag?
Answer: Raggiana bird of paradise
It is the national bird.
Q3: Roughly how many species of birds of paradise exist?
Answer: About 45
Most live in New Guinea.
Q4: Why do males have such showy plumes?
Answer: To attract females
Females choose the best displays.
Q5: What does the superb bird of paradise form during display?
Answer: A black cape with a blue smile shape
It hops around the female.
Q6: Why did early Europeans think the birds had no feet?
Answer: Trade skins had feet removed
One species was named apoda, meaning footless.
Q7: Which naturalist studied them in the 1850s?
Answer: Alfred Russel Wallace
He traveled through the Malay Archipelago.
Q8: Where are feathers used in Papua New Guinea today?
Answer: In highland festival headdresses
Shows like Mount Hagen feature them.
Q9: In which habitat do most species live?
Answer: Tropical forests
Many live in mountain forests.
Q10: What do many birds of paradise eat?
Answer: Fruit and insects
Some help spread seeds.

Plumes, Dances and a National Symbol

Birds of paradise are a family of about 45 species, most found in New Guinea and nearby islands, with a few in eastern Australia. Males of many species grow dazzling plumes, wires and capes, while females are usually plain brown. They live mainly in tropical forests and eat fruit and insects.

Males display to attract females, who choose the most impressive performer. The superb bird of paradise spreads a black cape into an oval with a blue smile-like shape and bounces around the female. Other species hang upside down, clear dance floors or flick wire-like tail feathers.

Early trade skins reached Europe with the feet removed, leading to the myth that the birds never landed, and one species was named apoda, footless. Alfred Russel Wallace studied them in the 1850s. The Raggiana bird of paradise appears on Papua New Guinea's flag, and plumes decorate headdresses at highland festivals.

What This Quiz Teaches

Bird fans will enjoy these questions.

Where they live
Why males display
How the cape works
Where myths came from
Why they are national symbols

Did You Know?

Hunting for feathers is regulated.
Some species are rarely filmed.
Displays happen in morning light.
Mount Hagen hosts a famous show.
Bowerbirds are distant relatives.