Greater bird of paradise

Description

The greater bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda) is a bird-of-paradise in the genus Paradisaea.Carl Linnaeus named the species Paradisaea apoda,or "legless bird-of-paradise",because early trade-skins to reach Europe were prepared without wings or feet by natives;this led to the misconception that these birds were beautiful visitors from paradise that were kept aloft by their plumes and never touched the earth until death.The greater bird-of-paradise is the largest member in the genus Paradisaea,with males measuring up to 43 cm (17 in) (excluding the long twin tail wires).The female is smaller,at only 35 cm (14 in).The plumage of this species is also sexually dimorphic.The male has an iridescent green face and a yellow glossed with silver iridescence crown,head and nape.The rest of the body plumage is maroon-brown.The flank plumes,used in displays,are yellow at the base,turning white and streaked with maroon.The female has unbarred maroon brown plumage.In both sexes the iris is yellow and the bills blue.