Paradise Riflebird

Paradise Riflebird

Ptiloris paradiseus

Silhouette: Federico Pelliccioni · PhyloPic

Endemic
Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
at Lamington National Park

In 3 days ~90% in a week >90%

1,973 Verified sightings at Lamington National Park From 2019 to 2026
2,027 In all 2 parks
October Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Paradise Riflebird

The paradise riflebird (Ptiloris paradiseus) 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.

The paradise riflebird is frugivorous and insectivorous. During breeding season, males are promiscuous and perform solitary displays for females, which involves moving rapidly from side to side with the head tilted back, showing off the neck plumage.

The paradise riflebird was formally described in 1825 by the English naturalist William Swainson under the current binomial name Ptiloris paradiseus. It is one of the four riflebird species that are now placed in the genus Ptiloris. The common name "riflebird" comes from the likeness of their black velvety plumage to the uniform of the British Army Rifle Brigade.

There are no recognised subspecies of the paradise riflebird. It is similar in appearance to the other riflebird species, with males having similar iridescent blue-green patches and females appearing gray-brown with... Wikipedia →

Sounds

Song0:12

Australia · 2025

© Marc Anderson · XC1087218 · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Call0:06

Australia · 2019

© Mike fitzgerald · XC492220 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call0:36

Australia · 2016

© Greg McLachlan · XC336020 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Lamington National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~50%
2 Springbrook National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Paradise Riflebird in Lamington National Park?

Likely

About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Paradise Riflebird sighting in Lamington National Park on a given day, based on 1,973 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 25th most-seen of the 171 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 90%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Paradise Riflebird in Lamington National Park?

October and November

In those months about 60% of wildlife watchers report a Paradise Riflebird in Lamington National Park on a given day, against about 30% in April and July, the lowest months.

What time of day is best to see a Paradise Riflebird?

Between 9 am and noon

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Paradise Riflebird sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Lamington National Park the best place to see a Paradise Riflebird?

Yes

Of the 2 parks where we can rate Paradise Riflebird sightings, Lamington National Park has the highest daily chance: about 50%. Next come Springbrook National Park (Australia, about 10%).

Which relatives of the Paradise Riflebird live in Lamington National Park?

Same order: Passeriformes

The closest relatives of the Paradise Riflebird that you can see in Lamington National Park (order Passeriformes, Perching Birds) are Lewin's Honeyeater (about 90%), Eastern Whipbird (about 90%) and Eastern Yellow Robin (about 80%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Paradise Riflebird sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Paradise Riflebird is recorded against all the birds logged in Lamington National Park (1,973 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

← Back to Lamington National Park