The Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise (photo by Tim Laman, Macaulay Library).

Global interest in birds of paradise and other Papua birdlife is leading to increased opportunities for birding tourism, which is bringing newfound economic benefits to local communities on the island of New Guinea. More than 600 species of birds are native to Papua, including 27 of the bird-of-paradise species! You can view a birding experience via the video “Tanah Papua: A Paradise for Birds,” a presentation of the Cornell Lab’s Birds-of-Paradise Project and an insight into the economic benefits of birding tourism to local communities.

The Cornell Lab’s Birds-of-Paradise Project is working with the governments of Papua and West Papua and other international partners to further science, engagement, and conservation of the region’s biodiversity with a focus on the many birds-of-paradise.

Economic benefits of birding tourism to local communities is helping to increase sustainable development that is important for the future of Papua’s forests and people. The Birds-of-Paradise Project on the island of New Guinea is bringing special attention to this region, which supports one of the remaining large tropical forests in the world and nearly half of Indonesia’s total biodiversity.

To view the video “Tanah Papua: A Paradise for Birds,” see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkm8y7GpX3A and to learn more about the variety and behavior of birds-of-paradise and the Cornell Lab’s Birds-of-Paradise Project seehttp://www.birdsofparadiseproject.org