Burung Cenderawasih

Burung Cenderawasih

Cendrawasih (Bird of Paradise)

            Cendrawasih, which is also called as Bird of Paradise, is member of Paradisaedae family from Passeriformes ordo. It can be found in East Indonesia, islands of Torres Strain, Papua New Guinea, and East Australia. It is divided into 14 genus and approximately 43 species. The other 30 species can be found in Indonesia.

            Papua society believe that Burung Cendrawasih is the reincarnation of Angle in the Paradise. Formerly, these birds were considered as beautiful birds but it had no leg. They would not come to the ground but just fly in the air because of their beautiful fur. Because of that Burung Cendrawasih is well known as Bird of Paradise.

            Cendrawasih birds have special character in their beautiful fur which belongs to males Cendrawasih. Generally, the fur is light color which is combination with some colors like black, brown, florid, orange, white, blue, green and purple.

            The size of Cendrawasih is variety. It starts in 15 cm with 50 gram which is like Cendrawasih Raja of King of Cendrawasih (Cicinnurus regius), up to 110 cm Cendrawasih Paruh Sabit Hitam (Epimachus albertisi) or the weight is up to 450 gram which is same like Cendrawasih Manukod Jambul-bergulung (Manucodia comrii).

            The beautiful of Cendrawasih fur of Males is also for catching attention of Cendrawasih Females. It is to invite the females to be ready to married. The males will show off their fur to the Females with doing some beautiful dancing. While the males are singing in the branch, they dance with some motions and to some directions. But every species of Cendrawasih has their own character of dancing.

            The habitat of Cendrawasih is in heavy jungle, generally in downland.

            Unfortunately, the population of Cendrawasih nowadays more and more threatened and scarce to be found because of dislodgment and illegal commerce at all the times.