Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher

Overview

Blyth's paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone affinis), also known as the oriental paradise flycatcher, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. Elevated to full species rank by the IOC in 2015 after previously being considered a subspecies of the Asian paradise flycatcher, it occupies a range that includes northeast India, Indochina, Sumatra, and Borneo.

Identification

• Dimorphic male with both rufous and white plumage variations, all featuring a dark head, a small, triangular crest, and a blue eye-ring.
• Breeding male distinguished by elongated central tail streamers nearly twice the length of the body.
• Female resembles non-breeding rufous males but usually shows a less vibrant blue eye-ring and a slightly paler head.
• Song is a ringing series of "wiwiwiwiwiwiwi" notes, accompanied by a nasal call of "ji-jeh" or "ji-jeh-jeh".

Habitat

This species inhabits evergreen broadleaf forests and forest edges, including secondary growth, gardens, and plantations, typically in lowland and foothill regions. Its native range covers northeast India, Indochina, Sumatra, and Borneo, with some populations undertaking migratory movements.

Did you know?

Identification can be challenging where ranges overlap with similar species, but Blyth's paradise flycatcher is distinguished by its short, rounded crest—contrasting with the longer, pointed crest of the Indian paradise flycatcher—and a pale rufous undertail in rufous morphs.