Magnificent Riflebird vs Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

Lophorina magnifica compared with Cicinnurus respublica

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Magnificent Riflebird Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
Scientific Name Lophorina magnifica Cicinnurus respublica
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Paradisaeidae Paradisaeidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length 16.0 cm (6.3 in)
Wingspan 33.5 cm (13.2 in) 19.0 cm (7.5 in)
Weight 163.0 g (5.75 oz) 55.0 g (1.94 oz)
Diet -- Fruit and insects gleaned from the forest canopy and subcanopy. Particularly favors figs.
Clutch Size 1-2 --
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Magnificent Riflebird
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise 16.0 cm
Wingspan
Magnificent Riflebird 33.5 cm
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise 19.0 cm
Weight
Magnificent Riflebird 163.0 g
Wilson's Bird-of-paradise 55.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Magnificent Riflebird only

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise only

None

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

Lowland and hill forests on the small islands of Waigeo and Batanta in the Raja Ampat archipelago, Indonesia.

Song & Call Comparison

Magnificent Riflebird

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

Song

Male gives a harsh, nasal 'waah' or 'eeah' from display perch. Song is poorly documented in wild. Also produces mechanical rattling wing sounds during display flights.

Geographic Range & Migration

Magnificent Riflebird

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

Endemic to the islands of Waigeo and Batanta off the northwestern tip of New Guinea, Indonesia.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Magnificent Riflebird

Near Threatened

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

How to Tell Them Apart

Magnificent Riflebird

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

Plumage

Males have a brilliant red back, yellow nape, turquoise blue bare crown, and green breast shield. Violet-blue curled tail wires. Females are brownish with bare blue crown.

Bill

Short, slightly curved greyish bill

About These Birds

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

Wilson's bird-of-paradise is one of the most extraordinarily colored birds on Earth. Males meticulously clear a patch of forest floor as a display court, removing every leaf and twig. The species was virtually unknown to science until the late 20th century due to its restricted island range.

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