Black Paradise Flycatcher
Terpsiphone atrocaudata
The Black Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone atrocaudata) is a rare monarch flycatchers, paradise flycatchers, and shrikebill found in 14 countries, weighing about 19 g. The black paradise flycatcher, also known as the Japanese paradise flycatcher, is a medium-sized passerine bird native to southeastern Asia.
About the Black Paradise Flycatcher
The black paradise flycatcher, also known as the Japanese paradise flycatcher, is a medium-sized passerine bird native to southeastern Asia. It is a glossy black, chestnut and white bird, slightly smaller than either the Amur paradise flycatcher or Blyth's paradise flycatcher, but similar in appearance. Males have exceptionally long tails. Females are generally duller in appearance and have shorter tails.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black paradise flycatcher is similar in appearance to both the Amur paradise flycatcher and Blyth's paradise flycatcher, but is slightly smaller. Mature males have a black hood with a purplish-blue gloss which shades into blackish-grey on the chest. The underparts are off-white to white. The mantle, back, wings and rump are plain dark chestnut. The tail has extremely long black central feathers, which are shorter in immature males. Unlike the Asian paradise flycatcher there is no white morph. The female resembles the male but is duller and darker brown on the chestnut areas.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mongolia.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, September, October, November, with peak activity in April. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black Paradise Flycatcher?
- The black paradise flycatcher is similar in appearance to both the Amur paradise flycatcher and Blyth's paradise flycatcher, but is slightly smaller. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black Paradise Flycatcher?
- The Black Paradise Flycatcher is a small sized bird weighing about 19 g.
- Where can you see a Black Paradise Flycatcher?
- The Black Paradise Flycatcher occurs in 14 countries, including Taiwan, China, Hong Kong SAR China, Thailand and South Korea.
- What birds look similar to a Black Paradise Flycatcher?
- The Black Paradise Flycatcher is most easily confused with the Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, the Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher and the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher.
- Is the Black Paradise Flycatcher endangered?
- The Black Paradise Flycatcher is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black Paradise Flycatcher for real
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