A GOLDEN FLASH OF BIRDS OF PARADISE
David Attenborough’s lifelong love affair with birds of paradise – arguably the brightest fliers of them all – was sparked in the forests of New Guinea more than 50 years ago. There are multiple species of these exotic avian acrobats, all blessed with their own behavioural quirks, unique dance moves and inimitable costumes.
Perhaps the most impressive is the magnificent, which illuminates the dense forest with his golden-yellow wings and emerald breast shield, flaunting his finery as part of an impressive dance show to impress a mate. Clearing the ground of any distractions or clashing colours, he creates a platform to shine and makes use of any available saplings as a suitable podium pole. Watching from above, his critical audience gives her verdict, delivering harsher scores than a Strictly Come Dancing judge.
Found displaying mainly in the mountains of West Papua, the magnificent can be tricky to track down. More accessible birds of paradise reside in neighbouring Papua New Guinea (part of the same island), including the blue, with its shimmering sapphire wings, and the king of Saxony, which wears an extraordinary crown of feathery streamers. Searching for any of the birds requires sunrise treks through tangled rainforest and hours spent craning necks, proving that paradise isn’t always easy to find.
Reef & Rainforest (01803 866965; reefandrainforest.co.uk) can tailormake a 15-day Papua New Guinea Off the Beaten Track tour from £6,540 per person, including international flights.