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Sunday, October 20, 2019

Long-tailed Paradigala

This is the picture of Long-tailed Paradigala (Paradigalla carunculata) which I saw in Arfak range several months ago. This bird of paradise landed on the red pandanus fruit that had been placed by villagers in front of a blind to attract such birds as Western Parotia, Superb Bird of Paradise, Black Sicklebill and Magnificent Bird of Paradise.
The birding site itself was called Mount Soyti located above the Lorikeet Guesthouse. It was in the territory of Kwau village in Mokwam region. 
Long-tailed Paradigalla (Paradigalla carunculata)
Long-tailed Paradigalla

This Long-tailed Paradigalla came to the fruit in the morning time and stayed on it for several minutes. I was with an American tourist, Paige, waiting for the Western Parotia to land on his dancing ground and perform his "ballet dance performance". We spent around 4 days/ 3 nights exploring the rainforest to see birds, butterflies, and colorful flowers.
We were very surprized to see this Paradigalla bird. We had never seen this paradise bird before. It was our lucky day. I made several pictures of the bird.
Traveling to Arfak mountains
Birdwing Butterfly Ornithoptera titonus and Rhododendron flowers
One of the flower species that attracted my attention was Rhododendron zoelleri. Its flowers had yellow-orange petals. Birdwing butterfly such as the Ornithoptera tithonus liked to visit rhododendron flowers to eat their nectar. 
I hope that I will be able to see the bird and the flowers, and the butterfly again in the future when I return to Arfak mountains.