New Guinean and northern Australian bird of the family Ptilonorhynchidae, order Passeriformes, related to the bird of paradise. The males are dull-coloured, and build elaborate bowers of sticks and grass, decorated with shells, feathers, or flowers, and even painted with the juice of berries, to attract the females. There are 17 species.
White symbolizes justice and the promise of the future. Blue stands for prosperity. Red represents unity and purpose and the blood shed during the struggle for freedom. Effective date: 4 December 1975.