Editing Bird-of-paradise (section)

==Description==
[[File:Epimachus meyeri -Papua New Guinea -male-8.jpg|thumb|left|Sicklebills such as this [[brown sicklebill]] have decurved bills.]]
Birds-of-paradise are closely related to the [[Corvidae|corvids]]. Birds-of-paradise range in size from the [[king bird-of-paradise]] at {{convert|50|g|oz|abbr=on}} and {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}}  to the [[curl-crested manucode]] at {{convert|44|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|430|g|oz|abbr=on}}. The male [[black sicklebill]], with its long tail, is the longest species at {{convert|110|cm|in|abbr=on}}. In most species, the tails of the males are larger and longer than those of the females, the differences ranging from slight to extreme. The wings are rounded and, in some species, structurally modified on the males in order to make sound. There is considerable variation in the family with regard to [[beak|bill]] shape. Bills may be long and decurved, as in the sicklebills and riflebirds, or small and slim like the [[Astrapia]]s. As with body size, bill size varies between the sexes, although species where the females have larger bills than the males are more common, particularly in the insect-eating species.<ref name ="HBW"/>

[[Plumage]] variation between the sexes is closely related to the breeding system. The manucodes and paradise-crow, which are socially monogamous, are [[Sex#Sexual monomorphism|sexually monomorphic]]. So are the two species of ''[[Paradigalla]]'', which are polygamous. All these species have generally black plumage with varying amounts of green and blue [[iridescence]].<ref name ="HBW"/> The female plumage of the dimorphic species is typically drab to blend in with their habitat, unlike the bright attractive colours found on the males. Younger males of these species have female-like plumage, and sexual maturity takes a long time, with the full adult plumage not being obtained for up to seven years. This affords the younger males protection from predators of more subdued colours and also reduces hostility from adult males.<ref name ="HBW"/>