Birds of Paradise are largely solitary tree dwellers. Their flight is slow. They are not migratory. The species' diets consist of fruit, berries, insects, frogs and lizards. There are about forty-three species of Birds of Paradise.
Females alone build the nest and raise the young.
Males and females of the monogamous species are generally dull-feathered and both sexes attend these nests and young. Females incubate the eggs, usually two. Hatchlings may be naked or with down. In the wild, the males and females have little contact with one another except during breeding season. Although only a few of the Birds of Paradise are endangered, all species are carefully protected by the government of Papua, New Guinea and by the forest peoples who use the plumage in ceremonial costumes and body decorations.