Definition

1. Noun:
   • A brilliantly colored plumed bird: Any of numerous species of birds native to the New Guinea area, known for their elaborate and vibrant plumage, often exhibited by males in courtship displays.
   • An ornamental flowering plant: A tropical plant (Strelitzia reginae) native to South Africa, having a distinctive flower that resembles the head of a colorful bird.
   • A tropical flowering shrub: A shrub (genus Caesalpinia, formerly Poinciana) with bright orange or red flowers, found in tropical regions.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Bird):
  • The male bird of paradise performed an intricate dance to attract a mate.
  • We hope to see a bird of paradise in the wild during our trip to Papua New Guinea.
• Noun (Plant - Strelitzia):
  • She cut a beautiful bird of paradise from her garden for the vase.
  • The bird of paradise is a popular ornamental plant in warm climates.
• Noun (Shrub - Caesalpinia):
  • The red bird of paradise shrub is drought-tolerant and blooms all summer.

Advanced Usage

• "Like a bird of paradise": Used to describe something or someone as exceptionally colorful, exotic, or flamboyant.
  • She arrived at the gala in a dress like a bird of paradise, turning every head in the room.

Variants and Related Words

• Bird-of-paradise flower: Another common name for the plant.
• Raggiana bird-of-paradise: A specific, well-known species () of the bird family.
• Lesser bird-of-paradise: Another specific species ().

Synonyms

• For the bird: Paradisaeid (scientific family term).
• For the plant (Strelitzia): Crane flower.
• For the shrub (Caesalpinia): Pride of Barbados, dwarf poinciana, red bird of paradise.

Related Phrases

• "A paradise for birds": This is a descriptive phrase, not an idiom with the target word. It means an ideal or perfect place for birds.
  • The wetland sanctuary is a paradise for birds.

Related Idioms

There are no common idioms that incorporate the exact phrase "bird of paradise."

Noun

1. any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed birds of the New Guinea area
2. ornamental plant of tropical South Africa and South America having stalks of orange and purplish-blue flowers resembling a bird
3. a tropical flowering shrub having bright orange or red flowers; sometimes placed in genus Poinciana