What is "bird of paradise"

Bird of paradise \Bird" of par"a*dise\ (Zo["o]l.) The name of several very beautiful birds of the genus Paradisea and allied genera, inhabiting New Guinea and the adjacent islands. The males have brilliant colors, elegant plumes, and often remarkable tail feathers.

Note: The Great emerald ( Paradisea apoda) and the Lesser emerald ( Paradisea minor) furnish many of the plumes used as ornaments by ladies; the Red bird of paradise is Paradisea rubra or Paradisea sanguinea; the Golden bird of paradise is Parotia aurea or Parotia sexsetacea; the King bird of paradise is Cincinnurus regius. The name is also applied to the longer-billed birds of another related group ( Epimachin[ae]) from the same region. The Twelve-wired bird of paradise ( Seleucides alba) is one of these. See Paradise bird, and Note under Apod.

alt. 1 Any of various passerine birds of the family Paradisaeidae native to Oceania. In many of the species the breeding plumage of the males is brightly coloured. 2 A showy tropical flower of the genus (taxlink Strelitzia genus noshow=1), native to Madagascar. n. 1 Any of various passerine birds of the family Paradisaeidae native to Oceania. In many of the species the breeding plumage of the males is brightly coloured. 2 A showy tropical flower of the genus (taxlink Strelitzia genus noshow=1), native to Madagascar.

1. n. a tropical flowering shrub having bright orange or red flowers; sometimes placed in genus Poinciana [syn: poinciana, Caesalpinia gilliesii, Poinciana gilliesii]

2. ornamental plant of tropical South Africa and South America having stalks of orange and purplish-blue flowers resembling a bird [syn: Strelitzia reginae]

3. any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed birds of the New Guinea area

Bird of paradise or bird-of-paradise may refer to:

"Bird of Paradise" is the debut single by former Thin Lizzy guitarist Snowy White, from his debut album, White Flames, released in 1983. The single became White's biggest hit, peaking at no. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1984, remaining on the chart for 11 weeks. The song was the only single released from the album, and is White's signature song.

The song has featured on various compilations of White's material, such as Goldtop: Groups & Sessions '74–'94, Pure Gold and The Best of Snowy White. It has also appeared on general compilations, such as Now That's What I Call Music II. White performed the song on the BBC Television show Top of the Pops in 1984.

British radio DJ Steve Wright described "Bird of Paradise" as "one of my favourite songs of all time", after playing the song on BBC Radio 1 during its run in the charts.

In 1960, the film entered the public domain (in the USA) due to the claimants' failure to renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication per the Copyright Act of 1909.

Bird of Paradise is a 1951 drama film directed by Delmer Daves. It stars Debra Paget and Louis Jourdan.