of Little-bird, which is called paradise, despite the size of the lark (or Jay) - close relatives of our ravens.Almost all representatives of the 45 known species - the people of Australia.Only one settled in Madagascar.These exotic birds live mainly in the forest, build nests in the highlands.
most famous Paradise apoda, called Linea legless bird of paradise.The plumage on the neck and head bird dark yellow, forehead and throat - golden-green, tail and wings are painted brown.
All birds of paradise have a strong elongated beak.The tail of most long step.The plumage with a metallic sheen, dark, bright.Prevailing colors - blue, red, yellow.Males are always brighter with "decorating" feathers on the head, tail and sides that are displayed in the current challenging games.
first in Europe of the existence of these birds learned Magellan, feathered received as a gift from one of the local sultans Moluccas.
seafarers, conquered by her beauty, a story circulated that the birds of paradise live only in the sky, barely touching the land die.Even the hatching eggs, they claimed, happened in flight: a bird lays its eggs on the back of another.And they were fed exclusively with dew.Birds of Paradise were alleged to have miraculous power to heal.
course, such stories aroused curiosity and desire to get such an amazing live "decoration" for their own home.Traders also eager for profits and strongly supports the legend, the birds were removed miserable feet.
long time sailors and traders cheated Europeans selling crippled birds.True Lesemu opened thanks to John, said after traveling about how to really look the birds of paradise, and why up to this time in Europe, they were considered legless.It turns out that local hunters just cut off the dead bird legs and a dried carcass.
feed on these exotic birds not really mildew and berries, seeds, lizards and tree frogs.They live mostly alone, sometimes - in pairs.
especially attractive bird of paradise during the execution of their mating dance, when taking all kinds of intricate poses and demonstrate the weaker sex their elegant plumage.One tree at this time, you can count up to three dozen flirt with a female males.She ruffles at this time "golden" wings and hides them under the head becomes like a chrysanthemum.
But apart from dancing in the trees, birds of paradise satisfied with the presentation and forest edges.Male, finding a suitable place, cleans it from the grass and fallen leaves, and then trample down a future stage.When finished cooking on the ground, he rushes to the nearest tree and bush leaves and interrupts them, preparing a comfortable place to view the flies "spectator".
nest-building, incubation eggs laid and hatched chicks feeding lies on the female.Care of the progeny of the male does not take.
jacks are located mainly in the branches of a tree, a large bird of paradise, still called the Royal prefers to hold the nest in hollows.Laying eggs in a little (usually one or two).
These birds proved to be fairly easy to tolerate captivity and to keep them is not so difficult.It is important to provide the space (cell or a small enclosure is small) and proper diet (fruits, insects).In captivity, life expectancy of babies for about fifteen years.
Young males are similar in plumage to the females.Only fully matured, they "put" its elegant decoration.Prolonged shedding (4-5 mo.) Every year.
Wedding presentation birds of paradise are able to give and in captivity, but, again - with appropriate care.But the birds in captivity appear very rarely.
Birds of Paradise today have become very rare and are on the verge of total destruction.
