Tip of the week ON THE WILD SIDE

LOOK out for the beautiful purple blooms of rosebay willowherb. It grows along rivers and railways, while purple loosestrife is often found in a wetland or bog.

There are more than 42 species of birds of paradise in the world, all living on the islands of New Guinea or Australia and nearly all in deep forests.

They live solitary lives in the trees eating fruits (and a few bugs) and only come together or venture down to find mates.

It is for this ritual that they are best known.

Nearly every species has a unique mating dance, and some have specially evolved feathers that make a noise. Most females are a standard mottled brown for blending in to the trees, but it is their picky taste in men that has led to their incredible evolution. Females favour males with bigger, brighter colours, and this has led to them slowly evolving into all these insane varieties.

Their closest living relatives are crows and they range in size from 15cm to over 40cm. They were first spotted by Westerners in the 16th Century but have been hunted and used by local tribesmen for decoration throughout history.

The first specimens reached explorers through traders from an island that was not a bird of paradise habitat.

They had received them through trade themselves, and the birds had been prepared by having their skins dried and their wings and feet removed.

They were described to Westerners as birds that were constantly floating in heaven, never landing – hence no feet. Their popularity exploded in the West – especially during the Victorian era, when they became decorations for ladies’ hats – and birds of paradise were almost driven to extinction.

Today, hunting is banned although a small number of birds are taken by tribes for traditional ceremonies. But they are encouraged to scavenge for naturally shed feathers.

Long may these crazy birds reign on.