Communal display of Princess Stephanie's Astrapia Astrapia stephaniae (Paradisaeidae)

Abstract

Communal displays of male Astrapia stephaniae at traditional sites are described. The species is economically important to the highland people of New Guinea and brief notes are given on hunting and the ownership of display sites. Two display sites and the numbers and activities of birds observed at them are described. Several birds may congregate at one site but actual displays occurred singly. Displays appeared to be stimulated by the activities of other males but not necessarily by the presence of females. High- and low-intensity variants of display are described.