Ribbon Tailed Astrapia

The Ribbon-Tailed Astrapia, also known as Shaw Mayer's astrapia (Astrapia mayeri), is a species of bird-of-paradise. In the western portion of the central highlands of Papua New Guinea, subalpine woods are home to the ribbon-tailed astrapia, which is widespread and unique there. The male is polygamous, like many other decorative birds of paradise. It is the bird of paradise that has most recently been found.

The medium-sized ribbon-tailed astrapia can reach a length of 32 cm (without including the tail of the male, which can be over 1 metre). The male ribbon-tailed astrapia, one of the most impressive birds of paradise, has the longest tail feathers relative to the body size of any bird, measuring more than three times the length of its body. In general, male ribbon-tailed astrapia are about 125 cm long, while females are about 35 cm. The male has two incredibly long, ribbon-like white tail feathers, an ornate "ball" plume above its bill, and an iridescent olive green and bronze body. The female's body is a considerably duller shade of brown and black, and her head is iridescent. Females lack the long white tails that are present in males.