Oceania’s RAINFOREST birds know how to put on a show — but while these feats of a feather are hard to miss, they may soon go missing without continued conservation efforts.
To all the birders and non-birders out there — I think we can all agree birds are pretty amazing feats of nature. But some birds, well, they really take the cake; like those living in the lands down under. Traverse through any of Australia, New Zealand, or Papau New Guinea’s RAINFORESTS and you are sure to be amazed by the spectacle these BIRDS OF PARADISE have to offer.
Cassowary — Australia
Everything about the cassowary feels larger than life. These flightless birds, which inhabit the tropical RAINFORESTS of Australia, can tower over 180 cm tall (6 feet) and weigh over 45 kg (100 lbs), making them one of the largest and heaviest birds in the world. But it’s not just their height that is hard to miss. These birds have a very distinct look: orange eyes, black feathers that resemble hair, blue heads, and protective helmets whose purpose still stumps scientists today.
They’ve got a killer kick and razor-sharp talons, but don’t let their “murder-bird” reputation deceive you. Cassowaries are highly essential to the health of rainforest ecosystems, hence their nickname “gardeners of the forest” — several dozen tree species depend on them for seed dispersal. Unfortunately, cassowaries are endangered — only 1,500 cassowaries are left in the wild. Habitat loss, land fragmentation and road accidents threaten the survival of this species.
Kakapo — New Zealand
Freeze! That’s what a kakapo does when spotted. Sometimes called "owl parrot,” the kakapo, may be one of the longest living bird species — some can live to be 90 years old! This mossy-colored bird is the only flightless (and heaviest) parrot in the world. Kakapos are skilled climbers and will roost during the day in the rainforest canopy. Their short wings help balance them and act as a parachute when descending to the forest floor. When it’s time to breed, kakapos mean business — their courtship calls can last for eight hours every night for up to three months.
Before settlers arrived in New Zealand, kakapos were abundant. But hunting, land clearing and invasive predators caused their numbers to decline dramatically — there are less than 250 today. Conservation efforts however, are proving successful in bringing this bird back from the brink.
Birds of Paradise — New Guinea
New Guinea has over 40 species of birds of paradise, each renown for their remarkable plumage and intricate courtship dances. Up in the highlands, lives the black sicklebill, which can morph itself into impressive shapes. Whereas, the Western parotia displays an elaborate dance after tidying its court of the previous night’s debris before displaying his own fancy footwork.
Let’s take RAINFOREST birds under your wing. Donate with VAKOVAKO.
