New Guinea Birdwings Courtship

close up of a metallic green and black striped butterfly with green leaves and pink flowers behind it

While releasing new butterflies in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing one afternoon, I was fortunate enough to witness a pair of New Guinea Birdwings (Ornithoptera priamus) going through a courtship flight. The aerial display that these two truly impressive individuals were putting on totally mesmerized me. I found myself glued to one of the benches, just watching in awe as they moved through the air in their precisely coordinated dance. I have been in the Butterfly Wing almost daily, and for the last 15 years, yet its beauty and wonder never gets boring. I encourage you to come out, too!

Prepared by Nathan Brockman, Curator of the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing