Results: Birds-of-Paradise
Published on 04/16/2024
The birds-of-paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. The majority of species are found in eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia. The family has 45 species in 17 genera. The members of this family are perhaps best known for the plumage of the males of the species. Wikipedia is the primary source for this survey.
QUESTIONS
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1.
1.
Which of these birds-of -paradise characteristics are you familiar with?
The males of these species tend to have very long, elaborate feathers extending from the beak, wings, tail, or head.
12%
257 votes
For the most part, they are confined to dense rainforest habitats. The diet of all species is dominated by fruit and to a lesser extent arthropods (insects, centipedes, etc.).
13%
278 votes
The birds-of-paradise have a variety of breeding systems, ranging from monogamy to lek-type polygamy.
5%
118 votes
None
70%
1549 votes
All of the above
9%
198 votes
2.
2.
Hybrid birds-of-paradise may occur when individuals of different species, that look similar and have overlapping ranges, confuse each other for their own species and crossbreed. Before today's survey, were you aware of birds-of-paradise?
Yes
35%
759 votes
No
66%
1441 votes
3.
3.
Most species have elaborate mating rituals, including highly ritualized mating dances. Across the family (Paradisaeidae), female preference is incredibly important in shaping the courtship behaviors of males and, in fact, drives the evolution of ornamental combinations of sound, color, and behavior. Have you ever witnessed birds-of-paradise mating dances?
Yes
15%
336 votes
No
85%
1864 votes
4.
4.
Which of the following breeding habits of birds-of-paradise are you familiar with?
Birds-of-paradise build their nests from soft materials, such as leaves, ferns, and vine tendrils, typically placed in a tree fork.
8%
186 votes
The typical number of eggs in each clutch varies among the species and is not known for every species. For larger species, it is almost always just one egg, but smaller species may produce clutches of 2–3 eggs.
8%
185 votes
Eggs hatch after 16–22 days, and the young leave the nest at between 16 and 30 days of age.
4%
82 votes
None
76%
1678 votes
All of the above
8%
184 votes
5.
5.
Societies of New Guinea often use bird-of-paradise plumes in their dress and rituals, and the plumes were popular in Europe in past centuries as adornment for ladies' millinery. Hunting for plumes and habitat destruction have reduced some species to endangered status; habitat destruction due to deforestation is now the predominant threat. Do you feel that it is important to protect the habitat of these magnificent birds?
Yes
63%
1391 votes
No
37%
809 votes
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