Raggiana bird of paradise (Paradisaea raggiana) is found primarily in the lower altitudes, although this has been found over 5,000 feet in elevation. This 13-14 inch (exclude tail wires) species has a red train of fluffy feathers that originates on the side of the bird. The bird is basically brown with a yellow head and neck. However, the forehead and throat is green. The female has a brown face and a yellow head. She is generally brown in color.

Howard and Moore in 2003 showed four subspecies. The nominate subspecies Paradisaea raggiana raggiana is found in eastern and south eastern (south coast) New Guinea. The subspecies intermedia is found on the north coast of eastern New Guinea. The subspecies granti is found along the north coast of south east New Guinea. The subspecies augustavictoriae is found in northeastern New Guinea.

Clements in 2007 has a different list. He shows the nominate lifeform to be in the southern watershed of south eastern Papua New Guinea. He shows a subspecies salvadorii for the lowlands of southern Papua New Guinea. He shows a subspecies intermedia for the northern coast of south eastern New Guinea. He shows the subspecies augustaevictoriae in the Huon Peninsula to Waria and Mambare rivers.

Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeidae Family) are a group of very brilliant colored birds that are found primarily in New Guinea and the neighboring islands in Indonesia. There are 46 known species in this family. The unusually shaped and colored feathers of the males of this family are totally unique in the bird world.

The typical Corvoidae (Corvoidea - Part II) is a large group of crow like birds found almost worldwide. Crows, ravens, magpies, jays, butcherbirds, bird of paradise birds, vireos, and relatives are found here.

In most modern bird taxonomies, the perching birds (Passeriformes) is treated as a single order. This large order has about 5739 different species. A common characteristic of this order is three forward toes and one reverse pointing toe. Most of species are also characterized by a tendon locking mechanism that permits their feet to lock onto branches when they relax. Recently, Monroe and Sibley in 1993 have divided this large order into six main divisions. To help our users navigate this gigantic number of species, we have arbitrarily placed these 6 different divisions at the order level.

This division can be referred to as:
Order Passeriformes (5739 species)
Suborder Passeri (4580 species)
Parvorder Corvida (1103 species)

Aves contains about 8,650 different species of living birds known to science. Each year about one new species is discovered in some remote rain forest or remote island. In addition, scientists have been raising many subspecies to full species status which may raise the species count to 10,000. Birdlife recognizes 10,027 species as of 2011.

However, each year about one species goes extinct. The rate of extinction is increasing, and the rate of new discovery is decreasing, so that the number of bird species will soon begin to decline rapidly. Although different taxonomists would organize the birds differently, there are approximately twenty-seven orders of birds. These orders are broken down into about one hundred and fifty-five different families.

Recent research of the genetic structure of some of the shore birds and owls would indicate that the present organization of orders and families should have some modification.

The birds are a worldwide group of animals that are characterized by having the front limbs modified into wings that are used for flying. Perhaps the most unique feature of the birds is the feathers. These feathers are made up of a central support called a quill and a series of small filaments that are hooked together as barbs.

For many years it was believed that Archaeopteryx discovered in Bavaria was the oldest bird from about 150 million years ago. However, in l986, Sankar Chattterjee, a Texas paleontologist, reportedly discovered a bird in the genus Protoavis that lived about 225 million years ago.

When this project was begun in 1978, we used Austin & Singer for bird taxonomy. Since then, we have adopted many changes, but have kept some older concepts that are still found widely in the literature. Recently, we have used Clements and Howard & Moore. Very recently, we have used Monroe and Sibley for the higher taxonomy of the perching birds.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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