Standardwing Bird of Paradise Semioptera wallacii Displays and Relationships, with Comparative Observations on Displays of other Paradisaeidae

Summary

An analysis of cine film, to 24 frames per second, of lekking and displaying male Standardwing Birds of Paradise Semioptera wallacii provided the first opportunity to describe displays and posturing detail of this previously little known monotypic genus. A vertical aerial display conspicuously exhibits the previously unremarked upon contrastingly pale primaries in fully plumaged males. This aerial display, whilst unlike any previously described for Paradisaeidae, may be homologous to inverted perch displays by Paradisaea spp. as are other displays of the Standardwing. Male lekking, displays and wing posturing, display perch foliage clearing, vocalisations and female plumage of the Standardwing suggest a much closer affinity to Paradisaea and Cicinnurus (Diphyllodes) than previously considered. Views on the position of Semioptera within Paradisaeidae, and behavioural characters shared by species considered closely related to it, are discussed.