1991 in Weltvogelpark Walsrode. This was a single male
Red bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea rubra)
even thought to be the mythical phoenix. Local traders told European explorers that the birds were coming from a terrestrial paradise, and called them “birds of god”. This resulted in the name “bird-of-paradise”. The specific name “apoda” from the greater bird-of-paradise means “without feet” and is derived from the feetless condition in which the specimens arrived in Europe.
The hunting for plumes reduced some species to an endangered status. At the moment all birds-of-paradise are legally protected and hunting is only permitted to fulfill the ceremonial needs of local tribes. Unfortunately habitat loss due to deforestation is still a major threat for these beautiful birds. The first bird-of-paradise arrived in
08 10 BIRD SCENE
Magnificent riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), and the only individual of this species that has ever been kept in the park. In 1999, five new bird-of-paradise species arrived from Bali, Indonesia: the King bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius), the Twelve-wired bird- of-paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus), the Red bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea rubra), the Lesser bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea minor), and the Greater bird-
of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda). Two years later, the Red birds-of paradise and the Greater birds-of paradise already produced offspring! And another year the King birds-of-paradise also reproduced! From that moment on, Weltvogelpark Walsrode has been breeding different bird-of-paradise species on a regular basis. At the moment four bird-of-paradise species are being kept in the park. The King bird-of-paradise and the Red bird-of-paradise are still a part of the collection and they are breeding regularly. The Twelve-wired bird-of- paradise is also still in the park, and is breeding since 2012. A recent addition to the collection is the Raggiana bird- of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana). Weltvogelpark Walsrode has lots of
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