Asian paradise-flycatcher

Terpsiphone paradisi

Photo by Steve Garvie (Wikipedia)

Common name:
Asian paradise-flycatcher (en); monarca-asiático (pt); tchitrec de paradis (fr); monarca colilargo asiático (es); fahlbauch-paradiesschnäpper (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Monarchidae


Range:
This species is found trhoughout south-eastern Asia, from Afghanistan, Pakistan and India to north-eastern China and extreme south-eastern Russia, and south to Indonesia. the more northern population migrate south to winter within the southern parts of their range.


Size:
These birds are 19-22 cm long, plus 24-30 cm long tail streamers in adults. They weigh around 20 g.


Habitat:
They are mostly found in rainforests with dense undergrowth, but also in mangroves, temperate forests, moist scrublands, rural gardens, plantations and urban areas. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 3.100 m.


Diet:
These birds are insectivorous, hunting insects in flight amongst the forest understory.


Breeding:
Asian paradise-flycatchers breed in May-July. The nest is cone-shaped and built with fine roots, plant fibres and small leaves, compacted with spider webs. The nest is placed in a scrub or small tree, up to 3 m above the ground. The female lays 3-4 pinkish-white eggs, which  are incubated by both parents for 13-16 days. The chicks fledge 12-14 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as generally common throughout this range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.