Bensbach's bird-of-paradise


Bensbach's bird-of-paradise, also known as Bensbach's riflebird, is a bird in the family Paradisaeidae that is often now considered an intergeneric hybrid between a magnificent riflebird and lesser bird-of-paradise. However, some authors, such as Errol Fuller, believe that it was a distinct and possibly extinct species.

Bensbach's bird-of-paradise
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Superfamily: Corvoidea
Family: Paradisaeidae
Hybrid: Ptiloris magnificus × Paradisaea minor
Synonyms

History

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Only one adult male specimen is known of this bird, held in the Netherlands Natural History Museum and coming from the Arfak Mountains of north-western New Guinea. It is named after Jacob Bensbach, Dutch Resident at Ternate, who presented the specimen to the museum.[1][2]

Notes

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  1. ^ Frith & Beehler (1998), p.517.
  2. ^ Iredale (1950), p.56.

References

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  • Frith, Clifford B. & Beehler, Bruce M. (1998). The Birds of Paradise. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-854853-9.
  • Iredale, Tom (1950). Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds. Melbourne: Georgian House.