When it comes to speaking of indigenous animals in Papua and West Papua, this may come up. Known as “Cendrawasih Merah” in Indonesian, these red birds of paradise always steal the attention of many. Still, how many people know this lovely species?
Their Physical Descriptions
For starters, Cendrawasih Merah has its Latin name called Paradisaea rubra. These red birds are from the genus called Paradisaea. Their family species is called Paradisaeidae.
These birds are generally large. Blood-red colours dominate their tails. The tail also has a few patches of white fur. Some of them also have a yellow feathers. They can be 33 cm in maximum length in general, brown-faced with yellow eyes and dark brown iris. Their necks have a mixture of emerald green and yellow. Their bills are yellow, and their legs are grey.
The male birds are slightly bigger than the female ones. The longest male is up to 72 cm, plus the ornamental red plumes. These plumes usually grow in the first six years of the bird’s life. The females also have the same brown faces, minus the red plumes.
Other physical features these indigenous animals in Papua and West Papua have include:
- A pair of tail wires that look like elongated black corkscrews. Some birds have tails that look like ropes.
- Dark green feather pompoms above each of their eyes.
The red birds of paradise are distributed to Waigeo (the lowland rainforests) and Batanta Islands. These areas are in West Papua. These flocks also share the same home with their fellow counterparts, Wilson’s Birds of Paradise. There may be a possibility of mix-mating between these two species. However, it has not been recorded yet.
Other areas where you can see Red Cendrawasih include the Raja Ampat and three areas are part of “Cendrawasih Bay” – Waropen Island, Biak Island, and Nabire. Unfortunately, the massive deforestation has put these birds’ lives in danger. They have already been listed as endangered species by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
The Red Cendrawasih is also listed in CITES Appendix II. (CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
In Indonesia, these birds are also protected by these laws:
- UU No.5/1990 or Law Number 5/1990 on Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.
- Peraturan Pemerintah (PP) No:7/1999 or Government Regulation Number 7/1999 on Preservation of Wild Plants and Animals.
The Breeding or Nesting
Cendrawasih Merah lives in groups on branches of tall trees. It only happens if the environment in the forest is still good and feels safe for them. They play and dance with their flocks. They also dance during their mating season.
The male Cendrawasih, including the red ones here, are naturally polygamous. During the mating season, their courtship rituals begin like a live performance to seduce their targeted audience (In this case, their female counterparts). The male birds will dance like butterflies, with their wings spread wide and fluttering as butterflies do with their wings.
The dance to woo the female red birds of paradise lasts between nine in the morning until four in the afternoon. The dancing gets more intense when they receive more attention from the female birds. Once the male is done mating with one female, he will fly to find other females to do the same. The female birds hatch their eggs and raise their little ones all by themselves.
These indigenous animals in Papua are also social creatures. If some of them get separated from the group, the rest of the flock will start looking for them. How? These birds will make certain noises to alert their fellows to search for the missing ones. When the missing or lost ones hear that familiar noise, they will search for the source. They will also reply to them with the same noises.
It is also why these red birds of paradise are quick to find each other again when separated. They live and work together as a group.
What Do They Eat?
These red birds of paradise consume mainly fruits, especially berries. They also like anthropods.
The Conservation for The Red Birds of Paradise
The protection and preservation of the Red Cendrawasih have been promoted both nationally and globally. In addition to influencing the ecosystem, the existence of this bird also has a high economic value. Good regulation and supervision will provide benefits and positive values for the community, especially those who manage and maintain it.
As part of the conservation programs for these indigenous animals in Papua, the government has supported tourism-based conservation. This way, more people are aware and more concerned with the risk of the extinction of these birds. Bird-watching has been one of the most favourite activities in nature here.
Hopefully, soon, the number of the Red Cendrawasih will grow. That way, these red birds of paradise will remain in Papua and also West Papua.
