It is for the 700 or so bird species  the Papua New Guinea's wildlife is most renowned.  PNG is home to 38 of the world's 43 spectacular and gaudy species of 'Bird of Paradise', with their bizarre displays of mating rituals.
The closely related Bower birds may lack incredible feathering in their males, but make up for it in their home-building skills with elaborate maypoles and gardens, complete with a well-kept lawn and flower arrangements.

Perhaps the most noteworthy of all the other species of birds in Papua New Guinea are the giant flightless Cassowaries.  Cassowaries are native to the humid rainforests of New Guinea and nearby smaller islands, and northeastern Australia. Usually shy birds of the deep forest, they are adept at disappearing long before a human knows they are there.  Females are bigger and more brightly colored and may reach 2 meters (6.6 ft), and weigh 58.5 kilos (129 lb).  Cassowary's three-toed feet with sharp claws. The inner toe sports a dagger-like claw that is 5 inches long.   This claw is particularly fearsome since cassowaries sometimes kick humans and animals with their enormously powerful legs.  They can run up to 50 km/h (31 mph) through the dense forest and jump up to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) high and are good swimmers, able to cross wide rivers and swim in the sea as well.
And, like the Bird of Paradise,, Cassowaries are of great ceremonial significance to many of PNG's tribal groups.