Bird of Paradise - Papua New Guinea


With a population of less than 10 million people, there are more than 700 languages spoken in Papua New Guinea. English is the official language, but limited to a small percentage of speakers. The indigenous languages of Papua New Guinea are threatened; most have a handful of speakers and are confined to remote areas. 

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Paradisaea raggiana - The Raggiana bird-of-paradise inhabits the southern and northeastern regions of New Guinea; locally, it is known as kumul. As with most birds, the male is the most vibrant in color and bolder in appearance; the female tends to be drab. The male Raggiana bird-of-paradise has bright plumage and long tail wires used in elaborate dances to gain the attention of potential mates during the breeding season. Males are polygynous, meaning they leave the nesting duties and caring for the hatchlings entirely to the female.