Huon astrapia

Species of bird

The Huon astrapia (Astrapia rothschildi), also known as Rothschild's astrapia, Huon bird of paradise, or Lord Rothschild's bird of paradise, is a species of bird of paradise belonging to the genus Astrapia. Like most of its congeners, A. rothschildi is a rather elusive member of its genus and family.

The generic name, Astrapia, is derived from the Greek word Astrapaios, which means "flash of lightning", referring to the iridescent plumage of the genus. Its specific name, rothschildi, is for Lord Walter Rothschild, a famous collector who kept the first specimen in his private museum sent to him by German naturalist Carl Wahnes.

This little known astrapia is a medium sized bird of paradise species, excluding the tail. The males reach up to around 69 cm (27 in) long and weigh up to 205g, including the tail, while the smaller female is around 47 cm (18.5 in) long and weighs slightly less at 200g. The males' head to the breast are black with a velvety blue iridescence, bordered by a characteristic iridescent, coppery orange gorget band; the hindneck is an elongated erectile cape with iridescent blue green plate like feathers, tipped pinkish violet (cape may appear fully violet in some views. ); upperparts, including wings, are black with a slight bronze green sheen, underparts are a deep oily green, with larger, scale like feathers down the sides a shiny lime green; the impressively long tail feathers are purplish black with a bluish sheen. The less impressive females are mainly a dull brownish black, with slight, narrow pale barring ventrally; the upperparts are a lighter brown compared to the blackish head; and the tail is greatly shorter than the males' and generally similar in color, though drabbier and browner. It takes around 5–6 years to reach full adult plumage, like its congeners.

The vocalizations of the Huon astrapia are vaguely known, though its calls are described as a rough "jj jj jj"; However, when adult males take flight, their wings produce a "shek" noise akin to a sprinkler, like other members of the genus. Otherwise, they are generally silent and shy.

Little is known of the Huon astrapia's behavior.

A. rothschildi is known to feed on Pittosporum seeds and the fruits of the genera Heptapleurum and Freycinetia, as well as some animal matter, like skinks and possibly insects and arachnids,

A. rothschildi is restricted to the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea, in montane and subalpine forests from 1,460 to 3,500 m. Their display sites are found in ridge crests and forest edges. It is assumed to be sedentary.

The Huon astrapia is considered as Least Concern, though as poorly known as it is, it almost comes in into the Data Deficient category. It is listed in Appendix II of CITES. It is not routinely hunted, though the skins and tail feathers of the males are important cultural items for the people of Nokopo.