Blyth's paradise flycatcher, also called the oriental paradise flycatcher, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. This species occupies evergreen broadleaf forests and forest edges, including secondary growth, gardens, and plantations, typically in lowland and foothill regions. Some populations undertake migratory movements.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Myanmar and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia to Singapore, and across much of the Greater Sunda Islands, including Sumatra, Borneo, and Java. It inhabits evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, forest edges, and well-wooded secondary growth. The species also uses riparian corridors, plantations, and large gardens with mature trees. It is most common in lowlands and foothills and avoids open, treeless habitats. Some northern or upland populations make short seasonal or altitudinal movements.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males often show long rufous tail streamers in breeding plumage, which can more than double the bird’s apparent length. Like other monarch flycatchers, it uses a broad, flat bill with prominent bristles to snatch insects in mid-air. Nests are neat, cup-shaped structures bound with spider silk and placed on slender forks. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks in forest edges and secondary growth.
female
Temperament
active and somewhat shy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs during breeding, but readily joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Builds a neat cup nest on a slender fork, typically a few meters above the ground. Both sexes participate in nest building and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, sweet, high-pitched whistles interspersed with sharper chip notes. Calls include metallic tseet and soft contact notes delivered from shaded perches.
Plumage
Glossy bluish-black head and throat with rufous upperparts and tail; underparts pale grey to whitish. Females are shorter-tailed with rufous upperparts and greyer underparts; juveniles are more mottled. Males in breeding show elongated rufous central tail streamers.
Diet
Primarily captures flying insects such as flies, moths, beetles, and winged termites. It hawks prey in short sorties from a shaded perch and also glean insects from foliage. Occasionally hover-gleans around leaves and twigs and will snatch insects flushed by other birds in mixed flocks.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the understory to midstory of evergreen forest, along streams, and at forest edges. Also feeds in well-wooded secondary growth and plantations with mature shade trees. Often selects partially shaded perches with good sightlines for aerial sallies.
