bird of paradise

¹

noun

1. any of several passerine birds of the family Paradisaeidae, of New Guinea and adjacent islands, the males of which have ornate, colorful plumage.

bird-of-paradise

²

[ burd-uhv-par-uh-dahys, -dahyz ]

noun

, plural birds-of-paradise.

1. Also called bird-of-paradise flower. any of several plants of the genus Strelitzia, native to southern Africa, especially S. reginae, having a large, showy orange and blue inflorescence.
2. a small tree or shrub, Caesalpinia ( Poinciana ) gilliesii, native to South America, having featherlike leaves and showy yellow flowers with red stamens.

Bird of Paradise

³

noun

, Astronomy.

1. the constellation Apus.

bird of paradise

noun

1. any songbird of the family Paradisaeidae of New Guinea and neighbouring regions, the males of which have brilliantly coloured ornate plumage
2. bird-of-paradise flower
   any of various banana-like plants of the genus Strelitzia , esp S. reginae , that are native to tropical southern Africa and South America and have purple bracts and large orange or yellow flowers resembling birds' heads: family Strelitziaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of bird of paradise¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Origin of bird of paradise²

First recorded in 1880–85

Origin of bird of paradise³

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

This was how the bird of paradise first made itself known to me.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, they planted a drought-resistant mix of California dune grass, mondo grass and poppies alongside the former owners’ birds of paradise, pink camellias and pineapple guava tree.

From Los Angeles Times

“And I’m getting smiles in response” — his eucalyptus, mulberries and bird of paradise appreciating him in the afterlife.

From Los Angeles Times

In modern ecosystems, that process has led closely related birds of paradise to develop different displays while sharing ecological niches.

From New York Times

Parks is a charming, colorful bird of paradise who seems trustworthy and diplomatic and raves about the breakfast spread, especially after a hard night of cackling through a delectable homicide.

From Salon