Wallace’s standardwing bird-of-paradise (Semioptera wallacii) has a magnificent violet-and-lilac crown with an emerald green waistcoat. This bird is one of the most beautiful in the animal realm.

In addition to its crown and west, males are up to 11 inches long and have two pairs of long white plumes projecting from the wing bend. The bird is free to raise or lower them.

Smaller and plainer than showy males, females have various hues. They are almost totally brown and have longer tails than males. Same color as males’ beak and foot.

The westernmost true bird-of-paradise, the standardwing, is found only on three islands in Northern Maluku, eastern Indonesia.

This island native prefers lowland tropical forests in hills. Occasionally, they can be discovered in remote forest.

These birds are frugivorous and eat figs, drupes, and other fruits. But they won’t pass on an insect if they can.

Polygamous men execute a stunning aerial spectacle. They are “parachuting” with wings, a bright green chest shield, and wing “standards” above its back to impress women.

Unfortunately, the rest of the breeding process is unknown.

Wallace’s standardwing bird-of-paradise

This bird is one of the most beautiful in the animal realm.

wearing an elegant violet-and-lilac headpiece and an emerald green waistcoat.

The standardwing bird-of-paradise is widespread in its small area. Due to habitat fragmentation, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ranks it as least concern.

The standardwing bird-of-paradise lives on three Northern Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia.

Famous author Ser David Attenborough shot the airborne display for BBC Natural World’s “Attenborough in Paradise.” Instead of impressing ladies, he believed their ostentatious behavior established the breeding rights hierarchy.

These birds consume insects occasionally but mostly eat fruits.

It is named for Alfred Russell Wallace, who studied Malay Archipelago biology.

They inspired him to invent natural selection and speciation like Darwin. Wallace initially noted this bird.

Polygamous males gather for aerial mating displays.

The standardwing bird-of-paradise was originally filmed in 1986.

Since they stay in tree canopies, these birds are rarely seen. Even though their population size has not been quantified and much is unknown about their breeding process and care of young ones, we know they live five to eight years and are not endangered.