African Paradise Flycatcher

The African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis, is a medium-sized passerine bird, a visual spectacle with its striking tail feathers and vibrant colors. Males are particularly notable for their elongated central tail feathers, which can be more than twice their body length, while females have more modest tail lengths without streamers. The male's plumage is a bold chestnut or rusty shade on the upper parts, wings, and tail, with the underparts and head ranging from grey to blue-grey. Mature males often boast a darker, glossy black head with greenish highlights. The beak and eye wattle ring are colored to blend with the surrounding feathers. Females display similar but less glossy coloration and a paler head.

Identification Tips

When identifying the African paradise flycatcher, look for the male's long tail streamers and glossy black head with chestnut wings and tail. Females lack the wingbar and tail streamers and have a browner underpart. Juveniles resemble females but are duller. Variations include a white morph male and some races with black tail streamers.

Habitat

This species thrives in open forest and savanna environments, favoring areas with scattered trees, plantations, and scrublands.

Distribution

The African paradise flycatcher is a locally common resident breeder throughout much of Africa south of the Sahara and extends its range into the southern Arabian Peninsula.

Behaviour

This bird is known for its upright perching stance and prominent position, often resembling a shrike. It is an active and vocal species, with a harsh, scolding call. Its diet consists primarily of insects, which it adeptly catches in flight. It also consumes spiders and occasionally berries. Nesting involves a neat cup-shaped structure in a tree, where it lays two to three eggs.

Song & Calls

The call of the African paradise flycatcher is a distinctive, harsh scolding sound, which can be heard across its habitat.

Breeding

The species builds a cup nest in trees, where it typically lays a clutch of two or three eggs.

Similar Species

The African paradise flycatcher may hybridize with the Rufous-vented paradise flycatcher and is closely related to the red-bellied paradise flycatcher, with which it may also hybridize.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily insectivorous, the African paradise flycatcher hunts flying insects and also feeds on spiders and berries.

Conservation status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the African paradise flycatcher as "Least Concern," indicating a stable population.