Parotia comes from the Greek parotis, a lock or curl of hair by the ear, alluding to the head wires.

The specific name sefilata is derived from the Latin word 'sex', meaning six, and filum, a thread or filament.

The male has jet black plumage, with striking iridescent scale-like golden-green breast shields and triangular silver feathers on its crown.

Males presumably perform a series of courtship displays likely on terrestrial courts in exploded leks.

[4] In courtship display, the male performs a ballerina-like dance with its elongated black plumes spread skirt-like, right below the iridescent breast shield.