Huon astrapia

The Huon astrapia is a stunning bird-of-paradise found only in the mountainous forests of the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. This beautiful bird primarily feeds on fruits and seeds. Named in honor of the British ornithologist Walter Rothschild, the Huon astrapia is relatively common within its limited habitat. It is classified as of "least concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is also listed on Appendix II of CITES, which helps regulate its trade.

The male Huon astrapia is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 69 cm in length. It boasts striking black plumage, a glossy blue crown, a dark olive-green back, and iridescent purple-green elongated feathers on its nape. Its long tail is a striking purplish-black. In contrast, the female is smaller and features blackish-brown plumage with pale barring on her abdomen, making her appearance quite different from the male.