Ribbon-tailed Astrapia – This stunning species sports tail streamers up to three times its body length, one of the longest feathers in the bird world.

King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise – A surreal sight with absurd, 50cm-long head plumes waving like antennae.

Greater Lophorina – Males transform into a glowing oval of blue-green during their “smiley-face” dance.

Princess Stephanie’s Astrapia – Though not as boisterous as other species in the area, they can be surprisingly conspicuous when moving between fruiting trees. Their long tails make flight rather laboured, but this also enhances their spectacular appearance in the canopy.

Brown Sicklebill – A large and powerful Bird-of-paradise, with males reaching up to 96 cm thanks to their enormous, decurved, scythe-like tail feathers. They are famous for their “machine-gun” call, a rapid metallic series of notes that echoes across the highland valleys.

When heard in the misty montane forests, it can be one of the most atmospheric sounds of New Guinea birding.

Greater Bird-of-paradise – In many ways this is the species that gave this family its almost mythical reputation. It is the largest member of the Paradisaea group, measuring up to 43 cm long, with males trailing even longer flank plumes that can double their body length. In the forests of southern and western New Guinea, males gather in groups, often on the same towering lek trees year after year, each competing for the attention of visiting females. They fan their flank plumes in great golden veils, hanging upside down or swaying side to side, while calling loudly with a repetitive, nasal “wawk-wawk-wawk” that carries across the canopy. At the height of display, the entire tree can erupt into motion, with multiple males flaunting their golden capes in unison, an unforgettable spectacle that seems well choreographed.

Blue Bird-of-paradise – Certainly one of the most beautiful of the family, its velvety black plumage offset by shimmering sapphire flanks.

Short-tailed Paradigalla – Unlike the extravagant dances of riflebirds or parotias, Paradigallas don’t perform elaborate displays. Instead, males advertise their fitness with their facial wattles, which may swell or flush with brighter colour when the bird is excited or in breeding condition. They are usually solitary and secretive, moving quietly through the mid to upper canopy in search of fruit.

Supporting highlights in this area include MacGregor’s and Flame Bowerbirds, famed for their intricate display courts, Goldie’s Parakeet, jewel-babblers, pittas, and even the poisonous Hooded Pitohui and Blue-capped Ifrit.

Magnificent Bird-of-paradise – The male clears a “display court” on the forest floor, sweeping away leaves and debris. He then performs for females by spreading his vivid breast shield into a glowing disk, flashing his golden cape, and dancing in a series of quick hops, bows, and side-to-side shuffles. The emerald shield can change colour depending on the angle of light, adding to the magic. Females carefully inspect the display and may visit multiple males before choosing a mate.

Western Parotia – One of the true “showstoppers” of the Birds-of-paradise, famous for its ballerina-like dance, males twirl with flank feathers fanned into a tutu

Black Sicklebill – Even larger and more dramatic, the Black Sicklebill is one of the longest Birds-of-Paradise, with males stretching to nearly 110 cm including their exaggerated tails. Perhaps the most otherworldly of all Bird-of-paradise displays. Males transform themselves into a bizarre crescent-shaped silhouette: they spread their enormous tail and wing plumes into a wide arc, facing the female while emitting bizarre calls. From the front, the expanded cape-like feathers give them a haunting, moon-shaped outline.

The Arfaks also hold stunners like Crescent-caped Lophorina (a highly localized Superb Lophorina relative), Masked and Vogelkop Bowerbirds, Arfak Catbird, and the elusive Lesser Melampitta, once considered a Bird-of-paradise itself.

Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise – Often referred to as the most magnificent bird on earth, we have the privilege of being able to watch its display at close range in purpose-built hides on the island of Waigeo.

Lesser Bird-of-paradise – While not as large as its cousin the Greater Bird-of-paradise, the male is still a spectacular sight, measuring about 32 cm in body length, with additional plumes that extend well beyond. The history of this bird is also entwined with human culture. Its plumes were heavily sought after in the feather trade of the 19th and early 20th centuries, adorning hats and ceremonial garb across the world. Today, while still occasionally used in traditional dress by New Guinea’s highland peoples, the Lesser Bird-of-paradise is more valuable alive, attracting birders and nature travellers from around the globe.

Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise – Unlike many of its relatives that dance on carefully cleared forest courts, the Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise selects bare vertical perches, often dead snags that stand tall above the swamp-forest canopy. Here, the male advertises himself by calling and fluffing his golden plumes. When a female alights nearby, the male sidesteps rapidly along the perch, flares his golden flank feathers, and then brushes his wiry filaments against the female’s face and body. This tactile courtship is both a visual spectacle and a physical persuasion, as though the wires themselves are meant to convince the female of his worth.

Red Bird-of-paradise – Scarlet plumes flare against dawn skies in tall Waigeo canopy trees.

King Bird-of-paradise – The smallest member of the bird-of-paradise family, males are only 16 cm long, yet they are breathtaking. They belong to the genus Cicinnurus, which includes the equally extravagant Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise. These are among the most ornamented and acrobatic displayers in the family. The King is the most widespread and accessible member of the genus, making it an iconic highlight of our tours.

Magnificent Riflebird – Always a tour highlight with its distinctive ‘come over here’ call. The moment a male raises his wings into that living silhouette and flashes his glowing emerald throat is often described as one of the most magical Bird-of-paradise encounters possible.

The cruise also reveals many of the world’s rarest and most least known birds including Western Crowned Pigeon, Kofiau Paradise Kingfisher, Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Purple-naped Lory, Lazuli Kingfisher, Boano and Kofiau Monarchs, and the bizarre Pesquet’s Parrot. Between forest walks, snorkelling reveals some of the richest reefs on Earth.

Here, one can also encounter the unusual Halmahera Paradise-crow, a primitive member of the bird-of-paradise family.

The bird-of-paradise family also extends to Australia, with Victoria’s and Paradise Riflebirds. Males raise iridescent wings in a dramatic fan, flashing purple, green, and blue while calling hoarsely.

These performances are complemented by other Australian icons: bowerbirds (Golden, Satin, Regent, Tooth-billed, and Great), lyrebirds, fairywrens, scrubbirds, bristlebirds, pardalotes, whipbirds, sittellas, and even the mighty Southern Cassowary roaming the forests.

While these species are the crown jewels, the supporting cast is just as spectacular: paradise kingfishers, jewel-babblers, fruit doves, pittas, imperial pigeons, megapodes, and nocturnal rarities such as New Britain’s near-mythical Golden Masked Owl. Mammals add further magic: tree kangaroos, cuscus, echidnas, wombats, and platypus depending on the region.

With decades of expertise, access to private display blinds, and deep knowledge of local guides and traditions, we look forward to sharing these unforgettable encounters with the world’s most spectacular birds with you. Each day on tour promises new marvels, whether it be a lek erupting in colour and sound, a vibrant ball of plumage dancing up in the canopy, or a bird so rare it was once thought lost to science.