Satinbirds or Cnemophilines

 

The Satinbirds or Cnemophilines, Cnemophilidae are a group of passerine birds which consists of three species found in the mountain forests of New Guinea.

They were originally thought to be part of the birds of paradise family Paradisaeidae until genetic research suggested that the birds are not closely related to Birds of Paradise at all and are perhaps closer to Melanocharitidae.

Antenna Satinbird or Crested Cnemophilus (Cnemophilus macgregorii)

Species

  • Genus Cnemophilus
  • Genus Loboparadisea

Description

In each of the three species of satin birds, the male is more brightly colored than the female, which is dull and inconspicuous.

Satinbirds have weak, non-manipulative feet, wide gapes (at one time they were given the name “wide-gaped bird of paradise”), as well as an unossified nasal region.

Breeding / Nesting

All species of satinbirds build domed nests, unlike those of Birds of Paradise.

The female lays a single egg and takes care of it without any assistance from the male.

Diet / Feeding

Satinbirds feed

 
 
 
 
 
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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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