bird-of-paradise

bird-of-paradise

Any of about 40 species (family Paradisaeidae) of small to medium-size forest birds that are rivaled by only a few pheasants and hummingbirds in colour and in the bizarre shape of the males' plumage. Courting males perform mating rituals for hours on a perch or in a cleared space on the forest floor. Birds-of-paradise are found in the highlands of New Guinea and on nearby islands; some species are also found in Australia. Among the most notable species are the plumebirds, which are 12–18 in. (30–46 cm) long and have central tail feathers elongated as wires or twisted ribbons.

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bird-of-paradise

 or crane flower

Ornamental plant (Strelitzia reginae) of the family Strelitziaceae. All five species of the genus Strelitzia are native to southern Africa. The large, showy Strelitzia flower has two erect, pointed petals and five stamens. One main bract, shaped like a boat, is green with red borders. It holds many long-stemmed orange and bright blue flowers, each resembling the crest and beak of a crane, giving the plant its common names.