Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher

Tanysiptera danae

The Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, also known as the Russet Paradise Kingfisher, is a striking avian species belonging to the Alcedinidae family. This bird is adorned with a vivid red bill and elongated tail streamers that add to its allure. The plumage is a kaleidoscope of colors, with a warm rufous-brown head, mantle, and scapulars, while the rump, breast, and belly boast a pink-red hue. The flight feathers are a stark black, contrasted by bright blue greater coverts, and the tail is a dark purplish blue. The legs and feet are either pink or orange, completing the bird's vibrant appearance.

Identification Tips

When observing the Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, look for a bird approximately 23 cm in length, not including the tail streamers which can add up to 9 cm. The bird's weight ranges from 37 to 50 grams. Both sexes share a similar appearance, making them indistinguishable in the field. The combination of the red bill, long tail streamers, and distinctive coloration makes this species relatively easy to identify.

Habitat

This kingfisher is endemic to the lowland forests of the Bird's Tail Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. It thrives in temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, preferring the dense primary forests of foothills.

Distribution

The species is found in the deep forest areas of eastern New Guinea, with an altitudinal range from 300 to 1000 meters. In certain regions, such as around Popondetta, it can be observed at altitudes as low as 150 meters, often more frequently than the Common Paradise Kingfisher.

Behaviour

The Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher is known to forage on the ground, where it skillfully captures insects, its primary food source.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet consists mainly of insects, which it hunts on the forest floor. The type specimen was collected in the Milne Bay area of Papua New Guinea, providing insight into its feeding habits within its natural habitat.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher risk category.

In the forests of Papua New Guinea, one may be fortunate enough to encounter this resplendent bird, a true jewel of the forest. With careful observation, the Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher can be a memorable highlight for any birdwatcher traversing these verdant habitats.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Brown-headed Paradise Kingfishers on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Owen Robertson
Owen Robertson
19 Nov 2019 - 12:00am
Papua New Guinea

More Kingfishers

A photo of a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) , male

Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.