Common Birdwing is essentially a forest species, but has been drawn to cultivated areas in gardens and parks where its host plant, Aristolochia acuminata, is found. It is essentially a jungle species but is drawn to cultivated areas where its host plant, Aristolochia acuminata, can be found. Troides helena can be found in forests with an elevation between 0m to 1000m.

Both sexes are usually observed flying at treetop level and occasionally descend to feed on flowering plants.

The common birdwing has the widest geographical range and occurs mainly in Asia including in countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Southern China.[3] Hong Kong is the upper latitudinal limit of the range.[4]

 they can occasionally be spotted in gardens and villages.

The forewings of both sexes are black with veins typically edged with grayish streaks, more conspicuously so in the female.

The hind wings are rick golden yellow with black veins and black borders. In addition, the female has a complete series of rather large sub marginal black spots, while the male has just one or a few sub marginal spots. The female has a complete series of large black submarginal spots. Rarely, males also have one or more smaller submarginal spots, but never a complete series.

The adults are strong flyers and are capable of flying long distances and at considerable height in a bird-like manner. The adults have been sighted both in forested areas as well as in Kampong areas. To be honest I have never seen one in urban parks which are far away from forested hills.

As is the case for many of the Papilionidae species, an adult taking nectar from flowers can flutter its forewings whiles its hind wings are kept relatively still.

#1 - Full view of the Common Birdwing