The rufous paradise flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae native to Indonesia and the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Found in the Philippines and parts of Indonesia, chiefly in tropical moist lowland forests. It favors primary and well-structured secondary forests, often along stream corridors and shaded gullies. Birds use the midstory and understory for foraging, moving between liana tangles and dense foliage. They may occur at forest edges and in selectively logged forest if enough canopy and understory cover remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males often show elongated tail streamers during the breeding season, which they use in display flights through shaded forest understory. This species frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, gleaning insects flushed by other birds. It is sensitive to extensive forest loss and fragmentation, persisting best in large tracts of lowland forest.
Temperament
shy and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season when pairs defend small territories. Both sexes help build a small cup nest suspended in a fork and share incubation and chick-rearing. Regularly associates with mixed-species flocks while foraging in the midstory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of thin, clear whistles interspersed with soft chipping notes. Calls include sharp tiks and scolding rattles when alarmed, often delivered from shaded perches.
Plumage
Mostly rich rufous to chestnut above with paler rufous underparts; feathers smooth and sleek. Males may show elongated rufous tail streamers and a slightly darker head. Females are shorter-tailed and a bit duller overall.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying and gleanable insects such as flies, beetles, moths, butterflies, termites, and small dragonflies. Captures prey by sallying from low to midstory perches and by gleaning from leaves and twigs. Occasionally snatches prey near streams where insect activity is high.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within dense understory and mid-canopy layers of humid lowland forest. Often forages along forest edges, riparian corridors, and in light gaps where insect abundance is elevated.
