These are Lesser Birds of Paradise that I created using Derwent Watercolor Pencils. I often saw these birds when I guide birdwatchers in the jungle of Susnguakti forest in Arfak mountains of West Papua. Paradise birds play an important role in the rainforest environment. They are seed dispersers.
People have hunted paradise birds for centuries to get their beautiful feathers. Ecotourism scheme that I introduce in West Papua is meant to empower the indigenous people by generating additional income and at the same time preserve the environment.
Birds of paradise have been hunted by human since hundreds of years ago for their beautiful feather. That’s why the Creator of the Universe made them as sex machine. They dance in the mornings and in the afternoons and mate with many partners so that their population can continue to grow. They also disperse seeds from fruits which they eat to all corners of the forest in New Guinea (the largest tropical island in the world)
In addition to watching birds, visitors can see the complex ecosystem of tropical rainforest and see other animals such as colorful butterflies, tree kangaroo, sulphur crested cockatoo or the nocturnal animal – cuscus possum.