Bedford's paradise flycatcher

Bedford's paradise flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Distribution

Region

Congo Basin, Central Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs in lowland evergreen and gallery forests, favoring dense, shaded understory and vine tangles. It is most often found along forest edges, stream corridors, and in older secondary growth adjacent to primary forest. The species keeps to interior forest but will forage along light gaps and clearings. It perches quietly and makes quick sorties to capture flying insects. Human disturbance and fragmentation can reduce local occupancy.

Altitude Range

0–1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size18–20 cm (males to 30–35 cm including tail streamers)

Wing Span24–28 cm

Male Weight0.015 kg

Female Weight0.014 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Bedford's paradise flycatcher is a forest monarch flycatcher endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it keeps to dense understory. Males typically show elongated tail streamers used in display flights. It hawks insects by making short sallies from shaded perches and may join mixed-species flocks. Ongoing forest loss in the Congo Basin is a likely pressure on its populations.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies

Social Behavior

Typically encountered singly or in pairs within the forest understory. Pairs are presumed monogamous, building a small cup nest suspended in a fork or vine overhang. Both adults participate in rearing young and may join mixed-species flocks while foraging outside the breeding period.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Soft, thin whistles and sharp ticking notes delivered from concealed perches. Calls accelerate during display flights, with a dry, scolding chip when alarmed.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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