King Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus regius

The King Bird of Paradise is native to lowland forests of Papua New Guinea. Despite the name "King", it is the smallest of the birds of paradise (included in "medium-sized" birds here to be with the other birds of paradise).

The bird shown is a juvenile male. The female looks similar but the adult male has bright red plumage with green-tipped tail streamers and a bright white underside. He gains full male plumage around 7 years old but already is practising hanging upside down and other male "dance" moves.

Like other birds of paradise, the male is polygamous and meets a female (often in a lek with other males) only to mate; the female builds the nest and cares for the young alone.