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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Paradisaeidae
  4. ›
  5. Ptiloris
  6. ›
  7. Paradise Riflebird
Paradise Riflebird
Photo · Richard Bowdler Sharpe

BirdUp · Species

Paradise Riflebird

Ptiloris paradiseusSwainson, 1825

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Paradisaeidae
Genus
Ptiloris

At a glance

The Paradise Riflebird is a medium-sized bird, about 27–30 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
27–30 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Paradise Riflebird look like?

The Paradise Riflebird is a medium-sized bird, about 27–30 cm long and weighing 86–143 g.

The paradise riflebird is a passerine bird of the family Paradisaeidae. It is one of four riflebird species in the genus Ptiloris. It is found in subtropical, temperate rainforests in eastern Australia. The species is sexually dimorphic; the male is black with iridescent blue-green patches, while the female is gray-brown and white.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
27–30 cm
Weight
86–143 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Paradise Riflebird?

The Paradise 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 Paradise Riflebird eat?

The Paradise 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 Paradise Riflebird live in Australia?

The Paradise Riflebird is endemic to Australia, recorded across 8 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-east QLD to east-central NSW (east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

5 regions recorded