# Greater bird-of-paradise > The greater bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda) is a yellow-plumed bird-of-paradise of the Aru Islands and the southern lowlands of New Guinea. Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/greater-bird-of-paradise/ · Updated 25 September 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/cenderawasih-besar/ _This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same data as the HTML page. Cite the HTML page URL and its update date._ **Review status:** Compiled and checked against the listed sources; not yet reviewed by a specialist. ## Quick answer The Greater bird-of-paradise (*Paradisaea apoda*) is a bird in the family Paradisaeidae. Its IUCN Red List category is Least Concern. | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Scientific name | *Paradisaea apoda* | | Indonesian name | Cenderawasih besar | | Group | Birds | | Family | Paradisaeidae | | Range in Indonesia | Aru Islands (Maluku) and the southern lowlands of Papua | | Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) | | Diet | Fruit and arthropods such as insects | | Range in Indonesia | Aru Islands and the southern lowlands of Papua | | Key feature | Males have long yellow plumes and two tail wires | | Other names | Cenderawasih kuning besar, cendrawasih besar | | IUCN status | Least Concern (BirdLife assessment, 2024) | | Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected (Ministerial Regulation P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018) | | IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2494862) · checked 25 September 2026 | ## What is the greater bird-of-paradise? The greater bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda) is a bird-of-paradise whose males carry long yellow flank plumes and two wire-like central tail feathers. According to the Australian Museum, males average 43 cm excluding the tail wires, and females about 35 cm. Males have a yellow head and an iridescent green throat, with a brown back, wings and underparts. Females are brown all over. In Indonesian it is also called cenderawasih kuning besar. It resembles the lesser bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea minor), but its back is brown rather than yellow, and it is the larger of the two. Evidence: [Australian Museum — Greater Bird of Paradise](https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/birds-of-paradise/greater-bird-of-paradise/) · [Al-Kauniyah: Jurnal Biologi — Pohon Bermain Burung Cenderawasih Kuning Besar (Paradisaea apoda) di Hutan Kampung Katan, Kabupaten Mappi (2023)](https://journal.uinjkt.ac.id/index.php/kauniyah/article/view/22859) ## Where does the greater bird-of-paradise live? The greater bird-of-paradise lives in the Aru Islands, Maluku, and the southern lowlands of New Guinea, from around Timika east to the Fly and Strickland rivers in Papua New Guinea. Its habitat is lowland and hill forest up to about 950 m. A study in the village forest of Katan, Mappi Regency, recorded the birds using particular display trees. Mongabay Indonesia, citing researchers from Pattimura University, reports that within Maluku it occurs only in the Aru Islands. Key habitat there lies on Kobror and Baun islands in Central Aru, which have tall natural forest and mangrove-fringed coasts. Evidence: [Australian Museum — Greater Bird of Paradise](https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/birds-of-paradise/greater-bird-of-paradise/) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Tidak Hanya di Papua, Habitat Cendrawasih Juga Ada di Pulau Kobror, Aru (2023)](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2023/10/29/tidak-hanya-di-papua-habitat-cendrawasih-juga-ada-di-pulau-kobror-aru/) · [Al-Kauniyah: Jurnal Biologi — Pohon Bermain Burung Cenderawasih Kuning Besar (Paradisaea apoda) di Hutan Kampung Katan, Kabupaten Mappi (2023)](https://journal.uinjkt.ac.id/index.php/kauniyah/article/view/22859) ## What does the greater bird-of-paradise eat? The greater bird-of-paradise eats fruit and arthropods, including insects. Mongabay Indonesia, citing research in the Aru Islands, says it takes a range of small to medium-sized fruits and some insects. Much of its activity takes place in large forest trees such as wild canarium (Canarium vulgare), wild nutmeg (Myristica fatua) and tawang (Pometia pinnata), which can reach 30 m. It uses these trees for perching, feeding, nesting and mating. The bird is sensitive to disturbance and may leave an area if it is bothered by the noise of human activity. Evidence: [Australian Museum — Greater Bird of Paradise](https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/birds-of-paradise/greater-bird-of-paradise/) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Tidak Hanya di Papua, Habitat Cendrawasih Juga Ada di Pulau Kobror, Aru (2023)](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2023/10/29/tidak-hanya-di-papua-habitat-cendrawasih-juga-ada-di-pulau-kobror-aru/) ## How does the greater bird-of-paradise display and breed? The greater bird-of-paradise breeds at leks, where several males display together on traditional perches to attract females. The Australian Museum records up to 15 adult males at one lek, plus younger males still in female-like plumage. Displaying males throw their plumes over their backs, hop along the branch and then hang facing downwards with plumes spread. Females build and attend nests alone. Breeding has been recorded at least in March–May and August–December. A study in a production forest in Papua saw young males watch adult males and then imitate their dance, suggesting a learning process. Evidence: [Australian Museum — Greater Bird of Paradise](https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/birds-of-paradise/greater-bird-of-paradise/) · [Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam dan Lingkungan (IPB) — Pramunandya 2024, The Display Behavior of Sub-Adult Greater Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea apoda)](https://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/jpsl/article/view/52395) ## Why is the greater bird-of-paradise called the ‘footless’ bird? The scientific name apoda means ‘footless’ because the first trade skins taken to Europe had their legs removed. The Australian Museum explains that these skins were prepared without legs, which is why Linnaeus gave the species this name in 1758. Trade is still a pressure today. BirdLife reports that the species appears at high prevalence in wildlife-trade datasets, including for handicrafts and the pet trade. In the Aru Islands, a resident interviewed by Mongabay Indonesia said the population on Trangan Island had declined because of hunting for sale and illegal logging. Evidence: [Australian Museum — Greater Bird of Paradise](https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/birds-of-paradise/greater-bird-of-paradise/) · [BirdLife International DataZone — Greater Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea apoda species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-bird-of-paradise-paradisaea-apoda) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Tidak Hanya di Papua, Habitat Cendrawasih Juga Ada di Pulau Kobror, Aru (2023)](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2023/10/29/tidak-hanya-di-papua-habitat-cendrawasih-juga-ada-di-pulau-kobror-aru/) ## How can the greater bird-of-paradise be protected? The greater bird-of-paradise is listed as a protected species, as cendrawasih besar, in the annex to Indonesian Ministerial Regulation P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018. BirdLife assessed it as Least Concern in 2024, but its population is suspected to be declining as forest cover shrinks. The best help is to protect lowland forest, including the trees used for leks. Do not buy live birds, mounted specimens or ornaments made from its plumes. When watching displays in the wild, keep your distance and stay quiet. In the Aru Islands, Kobror and Baun are designated as part of a wildlife reserve in the regency’s spatial plan. Evidence: [JDIH Kemenko Infrastruktur — Permen LHK No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF)](https://jdih.kemenkoinfra.go.id/cfind/source/files/permen-lhk/permenlhk-nomor-p.106-tahun-2018.pdf) · [BirdLife International DataZone — Greater Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea apoda species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-bird-of-paradise-paradisaea-apoda) · [Mongabay Indonesia — Tidak Hanya di Papua, Habitat Cendrawasih Juga Ada di Pulau Kobror, Aru (2023)](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2023/10/29/tidak-hanya-di-papua-habitat-cendrawasih-juga-ada-di-pulau-kobror-aru/) ## Common questions about the Greater bird-of-paradise ### What is the scientific name of the Greater bird-of-paradise? The scientific name of the Greater bird-of-paradise is *Paradisaea apoda*, in the family Paradisaeidae. In Indonesian it is called Cenderawasih besar. ### Where can the Greater bird-of-paradise be found in Indonesia? In Indonesia, this guide records the Greater bird-of-paradise in: Aru Islands (Maluku) and the southern lowlands of Papua. Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/). ### What does the Greater bird-of-paradise eat? Diet of the Greater bird-of-paradise: fruit and arthropods such as insects. ### What is the conservation status of the Greater bird-of-paradise? On the IUCN Red List, the Greater bird-of-paradise is listed as Least Concern: it does not currently qualify for a threatened category in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2494862), checked 25 September 2026. This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Greater bird-of-paradise is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/glossary/#satwa-dilindungi) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office). ## Sources & references 1. [BirdLife International DataZone — Greater Bird-of-paradise Paradisaea apoda species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-bird-of-paradise-paradisaea-apoda) 2. [Australian Museum — Greater Bird of Paradise](https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/birds-of-paradise/greater-bird-of-paradise/) 3. [Mongabay Indonesia — Tidak Hanya di Papua, Habitat Cendrawasih Juga Ada di Pulau Kobror, Aru (2023)](https://www.mongabay.co.id/2023/10/29/tidak-hanya-di-papua-habitat-cendrawasih-juga-ada-di-pulau-kobror-aru/) 4. [Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam dan Lingkungan (IPB) — Pramunandya 2024, The Display Behavior of Sub-Adult Greater Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea apoda)](https://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/jpsl/article/view/52395) 5. [Al-Kauniyah: Jurnal Biologi — Pohon Bermain Burung Cenderawasih Kuning Besar (Paradisaea apoda) di Hutan Kampung Katan, Kabupaten Mappi (2023)](https://journal.uinjkt.ac.id/index.php/kauniyah/article/view/22859) 6. [JDIH Kemenko Infrastruktur — Permen LHK No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF)](https://jdih.kemenkoinfra.go.id/cfind/source/files/permen-lhk/permenlhk-nomor-p.106-tahun-2018.pdf) ## Further reading [Greater bird-of-paradise: facts, threats and conservation](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/greater-bird-of-paradise/) — World Animal Rescue Network. ## Keep exploring - [Red bird-of-paradise](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/red-bird-of-paradise/) - [Common hill myna](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/common-hill-myna/) - [Flores hawk-eagle](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/flores-hawk-eagle/) - [Green peafowl](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/green-peafowl/) - [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) - [White-rumped shama](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/white-rumped-shama/) - [Rhinoceros hornbill](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/rhinoceros-hornbill/) --- Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Greater bird-of-paradise. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/greater-bird-of-paradise/