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This page lists books that are totally or partially about Birds Of Paradise. The books are listed in order of publication date with the most recent at the top.

Family: Paradisaeidae

There are 40 species in the family Paradisaeidae. The majority are restricted to New Guinea. A few species are found in Australia and the Moluccas.

Birds of Paradise: Revealing the World's Most Extraordinary Birds

Tim Laman & Edwin Scholes

2012

"In this dazzling photo essay, Tim Laman and Edwin Scholes explain why, presenting gorgeous full-color photographs of all 39 species of the Birds of Paradise that highlight their unique and extraordinary plumage and mating behavior. The authors take you into the depths of the remote New Guinea rainforest to find each of these birds, some of which have never before been photographed. In pursuit, the authors pose answers to questions raised by eminent evolutionary biologists such as Ernst Mayr: "How can natural selection favor, one might almost say permit, the evolution of such conspicuously bizarre plumes and displays? How can it permit such 'absurd exaggerations', as one is almost tempted to call them? How can it happen that apparently closely related species and genera differ so drastically in their habits and colorations?" Field notes, conservation success stories, and observations of native peoples' interactions with these magnificent birds provide a rich feast for birders, naturalists, and any one who is seduced by the power and majesty of the natural world."

Drawn From Paradise: The Discovery, Art and Natural History of the Birds of Paradise

David Attenborough & Errol Fuller

2012

"In this unique exploration of a truly awe-inspiring family of birds which to this day is still shrouded in mystery, David Attenborough and Errol Fuller trace the natural history of these enigmatic birds through their depiction in western works of art throughout the centuries, featuring beautiful illustrations by such luminary artists as Jacques Barraband, William Hart, John Gould, Rubens and Breughel, to name but a few. Experienced ornithologists and general nature and art enthusiasts alike will delight in this journey of discovery of the world's most beautiful and mysterious birds."

Sharpe's Birds Of Paradise

R. Bowdler-Sharpe

Foreword: David Attenborough

Folio Society

2011

A limited edition of Sharpe's Monograph of the Paradiseidae which was originally published in two volumes in 1891 and 1898. This edition which is housed in a slipcase includes high quality reproductions of the 79 plates taken froma first edition at the John Rylands Library in Manchester.

Birds of Paradise: Nature, Art & History

Clifford B. Frith and Dawn W. Frith

"A comprehensive account of the natural history, record of discovery and depiction, and human appreciation of and relationships with the spectacularly beautiful birds of paradise. Written and illustrated, with over 350 images plus maps and drawings , by two dedicated world authorities who have studies and photographed the birds of paradise for over 30 years."

Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 14: Bush-Shrikes to Old World Sparrows

Edited by Josep Del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott and David Christie

2009

This volume covers bushshrikes, helmetshrikes, vangas, drongos, wattlebirds, mud-builders, white-winged chough and apostlebird, woodswallows, bornean bristlehead, butcherbirds, birds-of-paradise, bowerbirds, crows, starlings, old world sparrows.

Birds of Paradise: Paradisaeidae

Clifford B. Frith and Bruce M. Beehler

Oxford University Press

1998

676 pages, 15 plates, numerous halftones and line figures

"The first comprehensive and systematic treatment of the entire family. Introductory chapters provide an overview of the biology, ecology, and history of the group. This section also includes chapters on conservation and the role of the birds in human culture. The second part of the book consists of accounts of the 42 species of birds of paradise, describing their plumage, size, habitat, distribution, and behaviour in detail and accompanied by distribution maps and sonograms. 12 colour plates by William T. Cooper, one of the world's most acclaimed bird artists, illustrate all the species, their known hybrids, and many juveniles and sub-species. Fine line provide a record of how the birds use their famous ornaments during reproductive behaviour."

Finches, Bowerbirds and Other Passerines Of Australia

Editor: Ronald Strahan

The National Photographic index of Australian Wildlife

Angus & Robertson

1996

"This volume includes: buntings; finches; sparrows; weavers; grass-finches; starlings and mynas; orioles and figbirds; drongos; bowerbirds; birds of paradise; magpie-larks; mud-nest builders; woodswallows; magpies, currawongs and butcherbirds; and crows and ravens. Full descriptions are given of each species, as well as breeding habits, habitat, food, voice, distribution and current status. Each entry is accompanied by colour photographs and distribution maps."

The Lost Birds of Paradise

Errol Fuller

Swan Hill Press

1995

"The bird-of-paradise family contains 43 recognized species, but it is not widely known that there are another 19 - some only known from a single specimen - the exact status of which is uncertain. This book sets out to tell the story of each of these birds and the people connected with them."

Arena Birds: Sexual Selection and Behavior

Paul A. Johnsgard

1994

"Arena birds - those birds whose mates gather for competitive sexual display in open spaces called arenas or leks - are amoung the most beautiful birds in the world. Paul Johnsgard surveys the mating behavior of many species and groups and explains how arena birds select mates on the basis of either male dominance or female choice."

Birds of Paradise: Golden Age Illustrations

Editor: Bob Raftopolous

Text: Daniel G. Elliot

Oz Publishing

1988

50 pages with 22 colour plates by Wolf. Each plate is accompanied by text taken from Elliot's 1873 publication A Monograph Of The Paradiseidae Or Birds Of Paradise.

Birds of Paradise and Bowerbirds

Michael Everett

Burlington Books

1987

The Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds

William T. Cooper and Joseph M. Forshaw

1977

304 pages with 60 full page colour plates by Cooper.

Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds

E. Thomas Gillard

1969

Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds

Tom Iredale

Georgian House

1950

Remarks on Macgregor's Paradise-bird, Cnemophilus macgregori

P.L. Sclater

Ibis: Volume 33, Issue 3, pages 414-415

1891

Opening lines:

"MR. C. W, De Vis, of the Queensland Museum, Brisbane, has most kindly forwarded to me for examination the typical and unique example of the new Paradise-bird, Cnemophilus macgregori, discovered by Sir William Macgregor's expedition during the ascent of the Owen-Stanley Mountains, and described by Mr. De Vis in the report on Sir W. Macgregor's birds, which has been reprinted in the January number of this Journal (see above, p. 25). I have had the pleasure of showing this beautiful specimen to Count T. Salvadori, Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, and other experienced ornithologists, who all agree with Mr. De Vis that it is a new and very distinct form, and well worthy of generic separation from other known birds."

Monograph of the Paradiseidae, or birds of paradise and Ptilonorhynchidae, or bower-birds

R. Bowdler-Sharpe

Henry Southeran

1891 (Vol 1), 1898 (Vol. 2)

Originally published in 2 large folio volumes (in 8 original parts). Comprises 79 hand coloured lithographic plates by William Hart. 52 of these are based on his own artwork, the others are based on artwork by John Gould and John Gerrard Keulemans. Other editions of this work have subsequently been published.

Description Of A Recently Discovered Species Of Paradisea

Osbert Salvin and F. DuCane Godman

Ibis: Volume 25, Issue 2, pages 199-202

1883

Opening lines:

"In the last number of 'The Ibis' (p. 131) we published a brief diagnosis of a Bird of Paradise recently obtained in one of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands by Mr. Andrew Goldie. We now propose to give a fuller account of the bird, which, with the accompanying figure, drawn by Mr. Keulemans, will, we trust, do some justice to this beautiful and novel species."

Catalogue Of The Passeriformes or Perching Birds In The Collection Of The British Museum

Catalogue Of The Birds In The British Museum, Volume III

R. Bowdler Sharpe

Printed By Order Of The Trustees

Printed by Taylor & Francis

1877

Preface:

"The Third Volume of the 'Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum ' has been prepared by Mr. R. B. Sharpe, one of the Senior Assistants in the Zoological Department, and author of the two preceding volumes. It contains the commencement of the account of all the species of Passerine Birds known at present; and as no similar monograph of these Birds has been published since the year 1850, it may be hoped that the present work will not only assist the numerous students of this portion of the British Museum collections, but also prove useful to ornithologists, travellers, and collectors."