Cendrawasih, The Bird Of Paradise

Is there a heaven on earth? Maybe not as described in the Bible, but a lot of places that can be called a paradise. Some places even have their own animals from heaven. Papua example, an shelter island for a lot if unique animal. Papua is breeding grounds for birds of paradise, the locals call it Cendrawasih.

Cendrawasih are members of the Paradisaeidae family from the order Passeriformes. They are found in eastern Indonesia, Torres Strait Islands, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Australia. Bird family members are known for their plumage males in many species, especially the fur is very long and complex that grew from the beak, wings or head. Birds of paradise have variety of sizes, ranging from 50 grams of Paradise King and 15 cm to Paradise Part-sickle Black at 110 cm and Cendrawasih Manukod crested-rolled at 430 grams.

The most famous birds of paradise are members of the genus Paradisaea, including the type species, large yellow bird of paradise, Paradisaea apoda. In the past, a lot of this kind was brought to Europe as a souvenir by a trading expedition members. Indigenous traders deliberately throw his legs to make it easier to be decorated. This fact was not known to the explorers, which raised the perception among people in Europe that this bird never landed on the ground because it does not have legs, they believe the birds of paradise remain floating in the air while eating though. This is the origin of the name paradisaea (bird of paradise by the British) and apoda-type name that means 'no legs'.

Type of Cendrawasih

This list of Cendrawasih is taken from wikipedia

 Genus Lycocorax

§  Cendrawasih Gagak, Lycocorax pyrrhopterus

Genus Manucodia

§  Manukodia Mengkilap, Manucodia atra

§  Manukodia Jobi, Manucodia jobiensis

§  Manukodia Leher-berkerut, Manucodia chalybata

§  Manukodia Jambul-bergulung, Manucodia comrii

§  Manukodia Terompet, Manucodia keraudrenii

Genus Paradigalla

§  Paradigala Ekor-panjang, Paradigalla carunculata

§  Paradigala Ekor-pendek, Paradigalla brevicauda

Genus Astrapia

§  Astrapia Arfak, Astrapia nigra

§  Astrapia Elok, Astrapia splendidissima

§  Astrapia Ekor-pita, Astrapia mayeri

§  Astrapia Stephanie, Astrapia stephaniae

§  Astrapia Huon, Astrapia rothschildi

Genus Parotia

§  Parotia Arfak, Parotia sefilata

§  Parotia Karola, Parotia carolae

§  Parotia Berlepschi, Parotia berlepschi

§  Parotia Lawes, Parotia lawesii

§  Parotia Timur, Parotia helenae

§  Parotia Wahnes, Parotia wahnesi

Genus Pteridophora

§  Cendrawasih Panji, Pteridophora alberti

Genus Lophorina

§  Cendrawasih Kerah, Lophorina superba

Genus Ptiloris

§  Toowa Cemerlang Ptiloris magnificus

§  Toowa Timur Ptiloris intercedens

§  Toowa Surga Ptiloris paradiseus

§  Toowa Viktoria Ptiloris victoriae

Genus Epimachus

§  Paruh-sabit Kurikuri, Epimachus fastuosus

§  Paruh-sabit Coklat, Epimachus meyeri

§  Paruh-sabit Paruh-hitam, Epimachus albertisi

§  Paruh-sabit Paruh-pucat, Epimachus bruijnii

Genus Cicinnurus

§  Cendrawasih Belah-rotan, Cicinnurus magnificus

§  Cendrawasih Botak, Cicinnurus respublica

§  Cendrawasih Raja, Cicinnurus regius

Genus Semioptera

§  Bidadari Halmahera Semioptera wallacii

Genus Seleucidis

§  Cendrawasih Mati-kawat, Seleucidis melanoleuca

Genus Paradisaea

§  Cendrawasih Kuning-kecil, Paradisaea minor

§  Cendrawasih Kuning-besar, Paradisaea apoda

§  Cendrawasih Raggiana, Paradisaea raggiana

§  Cendrawasih Goldi, Paradisaea decora

§  Cendrawasih Merah, Paradisaea rubra

§  Cendrawasih Kaisar, Paradisaea guilielmi

§  Cendrawasih Biru, Paradisaea rudolphi

Threats To Bird of Paradise

The beauty Cendrawasih feathers is a blessing and a curse for their survival. Humans often hunting Cendrawasih to be decorated or accessories to beautify themselves.

Long ago, people in Papua always wear fur in clothing Cendrawasih and customs. And a few centuries ago, since the explorers from Europe brought decoration birds of paradise, the women in europe so crazy about making Cendrawasih feathers to decorate their hats.

Poaching for fur gets continued until today, coupled with habitat destruction of their lives, causes a decrease in the number of birds on several types of the level of risk. Destruction of habitat due to deforestation is now a major threat.

Fortunately, the government of Indonesia recognizes the threat to the survival Cendrawasih, now the birds of paradise are protected by law. Hunting is only allowed for the celebration of the needs of the local tribes.