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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Paradisaeidae
  4. ›
  5. Ptiloris
  6. ›
  7. Magnificent Riflebird
Magnificent Riflebird
Photo · John Gould / William Matthew Hart

BirdUp · Species

Magnificent Riflebird

Ptiloris magnificus(Vieillot, 1819)

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Native
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Paradisaeidae
Genus
Ptiloris

At a glance

The Magnificent Riflebird is a medium-sized bird, about 26–34 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
26–34 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Local
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Magnificent Riflebird look like?

The Magnificent Riflebird is a medium-sized bird, about 26–34 cm long and weighing 91–230 g.

The magnificent riflebird is a species of passerine bird in the birds-of-paradise family Paradisaeidae.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
26–34 cm
Weight
91–230 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Magnificent Riflebird?

The Magnificent Riflebird is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Magnificent Riflebird eat?

The Magnificent Riflebird feeds on fruit and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Magnificent Riflebird live in Australia?

The Magnificent Riflebird is native to Australia, recorded across 2 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingWest and central New Guinea and north Cape York Pen., north-east QLD (north-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Resident

4 regions recorded