Bird of Paradise in PNG?

[Ihastar]

Hello friends,

I'll be on the MV Febrina next week and will be in Port Moresby for a day. Anyone know where to see birds of paradise around Port M? A zoo maybe? anything would be helpful.

If there are any other can't miss sights around Port Moresby, please let me know as well.

Thanks in advance,

 

[silent running]

Hello friends,

I'll be on the MV Febrina next week and will be in Port Moresby for a day. Anyone know where to see birds of paradise around Port M? A zoo maybe? anything would be helpful.

If there are any other can't miss sights around Port Moresby, please let me know as well.

Thanks in advance,

Hello, Ihastar, yes there is a Botanical Garden/Zoo in Moresby and yes they did have some Birds of Paradise. They were usually hiding in the foliage of the outdoor aviary, but I saw a few of them. The Botanical Garden has a large collection of Orchids. Here's the link:

http://www.ncbg.org.pg/

I enjoyed the place very much. If you want some souveniers, take a trip to PNG Arts store. They have some interesting stuff if you are willing to sort through a lot of less interesting stuff.

And make sure you eat at Asian Aromas, which despite the middling name has some excellent food cooked by a Thai/Malay chef. The chicken in pandanus leaves is great and there's a dish on the menu that I believe is called jumbo butter prawns, but is actually shrimp prepared with fried coconut and basil and is amazingly good.

I'm sure there's more to do than what I've mentioned, but I never spend more than a day or 2 passing through. And don't forget that the diving in the PM area is quite good. Have a great trip, -Andy

 

[Ihastar]

thanks Andy, I'm looking forward to seeing the garden and birds of paradise, that's if I survive the long travel time from the states.....take care

 

[Allison Finch]

I had an extremely neat experience with a Regianna bird of paradise in the aviary at the botanical gardens in Port Moreby. I walked into the aviary and a young male Reggiana (national bird of PNG) jumped onto my arm. I didn't know that they could be taught to speak. It looked at me and said"hello" in perfect english. It then started speaking in rapid Pidgeon. I think he was talking dirty to me because he started a full courtship of me on my arm. It flew off and came back with a berry of some kind in its beak. It started a full blown courtship dance on my arm. It held on and flipped over my arm, hanging upside down flapping his wings-dancing. The bugger held onto my arm with its sharp "talons". It hurt like H^%&, but what a moment!! I have photos that I must try to scan. Otherwise it is difficult to believe.

I hope he is still there if you go.