It was named by Boddaert, Paradisea sexpennis, and forms the genus Parotia of Viellot.

This wonderful bird is about the size of the female Paradisea rubra.

The plumage appear, at first sight black, but it glows in certain light with bronze and deep purple.

The throat and breast are scaled with broad flat feathers of an intense golden hue, changing to green and blue tints in certain lights.

On the back of the head is a broad recurved band of feathers, whose brilliancy is indescribable, resembling the sheen of emerald and topaz rather than any organic substance.