The Indian paradise flycatcher is a medium-sized passerine bird in the monarch flycatcher family, Monarchidae. 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, with resident and breeding populations in most of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, as well as parts of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Region
South Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across the Indian subcontinent, extending into parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and western Myanmar, with some populations ranging to southern Central Asia. It frequents moist and dry deciduous forest, riverine and riparian woodland, bamboo groves, plantations, and large, tree-lined gardens. The species favors well-wooded habitats with a stratified canopy and shaded understory, often near water. It avoids open treeless landscapes but tolerates secondary growth and semi-urban greenspaces.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Indian paradise flycatcher is famed for the adult male’s long, ribbon-like tail streamers and glossy crested black head with a vivid blue eye-ring. Males occur in striking white or rufous morphs, while females are shorter-tailed and largely rufous. It hawks insects with agile sallies under the forest canopy and adapts well to wooded gardens and orchards. Despite its showy appearance, it is often first detected by its sharp, ringing calls.
In flight
Sub-adult male Himalayan paradise flycatcher in Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan
Female Indian Paradise flycatcher in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, guarding its nest on a bamboo twig
Adult male Indian paradise flycatcher in Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka
Female leucogaster on nest
A male Paradise flycatcher feeding his newly born babies
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallying flights
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs; forms monogamous pairs during breeding. The nest is a neat, small cup slung from a forked twig, often overhanging a stream or path. Both sexes participate in nest building and incubation, with the male sometimes guarding conspicuously from nearby perches.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls include sharp, ringing chreee and tzee notes, often repeated from shaded perches. The song is a series of clear whistles and chatter, delivered more frequently during the breeding season.
