The birds of paradise are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful birds in the world. Known for their elaborate plumage and fascinating courtship displays, these birds have captured the imagination of naturalists for centuries. There are over 40 known species of birds of paradise, most of which are found in New Guinea.
In 2022, scientists described a new species of bird of paradise from the islands of Raja Ampat in West Papua, Indonesia. Named the smooth guardian-manucode, this striking black and olive green bird performs an unusual courtship dance that involves highly choreographed head bobs and poses. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this exciting new discovery and what makes this bird’s dance moves so smooth.
Discovery and Naming
The smooth guardian-manucode (Manucodia davidsharoni) was first observed by ornithologists in 2017 during an expedition to the islands of Waigeo and Batanta in Raja Ampat, led by Cornell University’s Birds of Paradise Project. At first, the black and olive green birds were thought to be a subspecies of the crinkle-collared manucode. However, further study of the birds’ appearance, vocalizations, and unique courtship display revealed that this was an entirely new species.
In 2022, the discovery was officially published in the scientific journal The Auk: Ornithological Advances. The species name davidsharoni honors philanthropist Dr. David K.S. Sharon, who has contributed significant funding towards research and conservation of the birds of paradise.
Appearance and Identification
The smooth guardian-manucode is a striking, medium-sized bird, measuring around 9 inches long. Here are some of its key identifying features:
- Adult males have a velvety black body, dark olive green wings and tail, yellow legs and a reddish-orange iris.
- Females have similar plumage to males, but are smaller in size with a brownish head and breast.
- Juveniles have a mostly brown plumage with some olive-green feathers mixed in.
- The bird has a long and broad tail, a short black bill, and a flashy semicircular carpal (wrist) patch that is brighter blue than in similar manucode species.
- It lacks the crinkled neck feathers that give the crinkle-collared manucode its name.
With its distinctive color pattern and structural features, the smooth guardian-manucode cannot be mistaken for any other bird once properly identified. The species is endemic to Waigeo and Batanta islands in Raja Ampat, Indonesia and has not been found anywhere else in the world.
Habitat and Diet
The smooth guardian-manucode inhabits tropical forests in the islands of Waigeo and Batanta. They can be found in both lowland and montane forests up to 5,600 feet above sea level.
These omnivorous birds feed on fruit, seeds, and insects. Favored fruits include figs and berries. By following monkey troops, the birds take advantage of the insects and fruit disturbed by the primates. Smooth guardian-manucodes were also observed feeding on mushrooms high up in the forest canopy.
The remote, rugged terrain of Raja Ampat likely isolated this species from mainland New Guinea, allowing it to gradually evolve into a separate endemic species over time. Protection of its island forest habitat is crucial for this bird’s survival.
Reproduction and Courtship Display
One of the most fascinating aspects of the smooth guardian-manucode is the male’s elaborate courtship dance performed to attract potential mates. This unique display takes place in a lek, where male birds gather to perform complex dances for visiting females.
Here are some key facts about their reproduction and dance moves:
- Males perform courtship displays between June to September during the breeding season.
- The display involves a ritualized sequence of poses, bows, backward hops, and head bobs.
- Dance moves are more choreographed and predictable compared to other manucodes.
- Males make mechanical, snapping sounds with their wings during the routine.
- Females observe and inspect several males at the lek before selecting a mate.
- The female alone builds a cup-shaped nest and cares for the young.
- A single egg is laid, with incubation taking around 3 weeks.
The male’s courtship dance is believed to have evolved to attract picky females looking for fit, healthy mates. The smooth, polished moves may allow females to better assess motor skills and condition that could indicate good genes or ability to care for offspring.
Courtship Dance Moves
Here is a play-by-play of the key moves that make up the smooth guardian manucode’s mesmerizing courtship routine:
- The Bow: The male bird bends forward from his perch into a deep bow, spreading and stretching his wings downwards.
- The Shake: Holding the bowed position, the male rapidly shakes his body up and down.
- The Rise: Stopping the shaking, the male slowly rises back up to an erect, upright posture.
- The Bounce: With a small jump, the male bird bounces in place on his perch several times.
- The Turn: Turning around, the male hops sideways and backward along the perch.
- The Head Bob: The male bobs his head up and down in a continuous, rhythmic motion.
- The Freeze: The male pauses and freezes in place, before repeating moves.
This sequence of highly-choreographed moves give this manucode a very smooth, dance-like courtship display that differs from similar birds of paradise species. The male’s ability to execute these moves likely helps impress prospective female mates.
Threats and Conservation Status
With its restricted range and specialized habitat needs, the smooth guardian-manucode has a very limited global population. The species has not yet been evaluated on the IUCN Red List. However, researchers recommend it be designated as globally Vulnerable.
Threats to the species include:
- Habitat loss due to logging, mining, and conversion of land for agriculture.
- Poaching for the illegal pet trade or plume hunting.
- Predation from invasive species like rats, cats, and monitor lizards.
- Climate change leading to reduced suitable habitat.
Protecting intact primary forest across Waigeo, Batanta, and nearby islands is critical for securing the future survival of these birds in the wild. Ecotourism focused on birdwatching may also help provide incentives for conservation.
Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of the smooth guardian-manucode highlights there is still so much to learn about Indonesia’s incredibly rich biodiversity. Finding this new species shows investigations into Wallacea’s remote forests continue to yield exciting surprises.
Here are some of the key reasons this discovery is so significant:
- Adds a new endemic species to Indonesia’s spectacular avifauna.
- Illustrates the evolutionary uniqueness of Raja Ampat’s fauna.
- Motivates expanded survey efforts in underexplored island ecosystems.
- Provides insights into unusual courtship behavior in birds of paradise.
- Generates interest and pride in Indonesia’s natural heritage.
Further fieldwork aimed at estimating population sizes, distribution, and conservation status of the smooth guardian-manucode will now be a priority. But for now, scientists and bird enthusiasts alike can marvel at this marvelous new bird and its slick dance moves.
Conclusion
The smooth guardian-manucode is an exciting new avian discovery and a striking addition to Indonesia’s spectacular birds of paradise. This unique species carries out an elaborate courtship routine filled with choreographed head bobs, poses, and smooth dance-like motions unlike any other manucode. While displaying some vulnerabilities, identifying this new black and olive green species highlights that Indonesia’s bird diversity is still not fully documented. Conservation efforts focused on protecting Raja Ampat’s pristine island forests will be key to ensuring this rare bird continues to dazzle with its slick moves into the future.