TOTAL PAGEVIEWS

TRANSLATE

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

26-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - INDIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER (FEMALE)


The Indian paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) is a medium-sized passerine bird native to Asia, where it is widely distributed. As the global population is considered stable, it has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2004. It is native to the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Myanmar.

Males have elongated central tail feathers, and a black and rufous plumage in some populations, while others have white plumage. Females are short-tailed with rufous wings and a black head. Indian paradise flycatchers feed on insects, which they capture in the air often below a densely canopied tree.


Indian paradise flycatchers are usually seen singly or in pairs. They are active during the daylight hours spending most of their time foraging. They catch insects in the air often below a densely canopied tree. They move quickly between the branches and are mainly arboreal. Indian paradise flycatchers may sometimes gather in mixed flocks. They communicate with each other using various calls and songs.

Indian paradise flycatchers are socially monogamous; they form pairs in which both males and females take part in nest-building, incubation, brooding, and feeding of the young. They breed from May to July. The nest is sometimes built in the vicinity of a breeding pair of drongos, which keep predators away. The female lays up to 4 eggs in a neat cup nest made with twigs and spider webs on the end of a low branch. Chicks hatch in about 14-16 days. They are altricial (blind and helpless) and stay in the nest for 9 to 12 days.