FEATURE


A LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE IN WELTVOGELPARK WALSRODE


AUTHORS: HANNE VAN BAVEL, ANDREAS FREI, JAN DAMS, ANTJE MEWES


T


his year, Welvogelpark Walsrode launches a remarkable new attraction, unique in Europe! The park built a brand new facility for the most extraordinary birds on the planet: Birds-of-paradise! Birds-of-paradise are passerines that are related to crows and jays. They are mainly found on New Guinea and its surrounding islands, where they live in dense rainforest habitat. Birds-of- paradise are particularly famous for the peculiar plumage of the males. All 41 species have very colorful, elongated or elaborate feathers on their tails, wings, beaks or heads. These feathers are used in the elaborate mating rituals, which are a well-known bird- of-paradise trademark! Females typically have a dull brown color which blends in with their surroundings as a perfect camouflage.


The exceptional plumes of male birds-of-paradise were often used by societies of New Guinea, as decoration for their dresses and rituals. The plumes were also very popular in Europe, as exotic ornaments for ladies’ hats. In the early sixteenth century, specimens of the greater bird-of- paradise (Paradisaea apoda) were brought back to Europe from trading expeditions. The wings and feet on these specimens had been removed by native traders, so they could be used as decorations. This was not known in Europe, and the absence of information gave rise to the many beliefs and myths about birds of paradise. Because the birds had no feet and wings, it was believed that they never landed and were permanently floating through the air, only falling to the ground when deceased. For a brief period, they were


BIRD SCENE BIRD SCENE 07


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