Irena cyanogastra
The Philippine Fairy-bluebird, *Irena cyanogastra*, is an exquisitely colored passerine endemic to the Philippine archipelago, celebrated for its dazzling iridescence. Males are particularly striking, showcasing a glossy, almost electric cobalt blue across their upperparts, crown, and tail, sharply contrasting with velvety black underparts, face, and throat. This remarkable sexual dimorphism makes the duller, greenish-blue females, which lack the black plumage, easily distinguishable. Measuri...
This species primarily inhabits the canopy and subcanopy of tropical moist lowland and montane rainforests, typically found from sea level up to 1800 meters, preferring primary or well-developed secondary forests.
Primarily frugivorous, its diet consists mainly of various small fruits and berries, supplemented with insects, especially during the breeding season for protein.
Active during daylight hours, the Philippine Fairy-bluebird is an arboreal species, spending most of its time high in the forest canopy. It typically forages by gleaning fruits and berries from branches, often exhibiting agile acrobatics, such as hanging upside down, to reach ripe sustenance. Whi...
The Philippine Fairy-bluebird is strictly endemic to the Philippines, inhabiting numerous islands across the archipelago. Its primary distribution includes the major islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, and smaller adjacent islands like Basilan, Catanduan...
Near Threatened
- The male Philippine Fairy-bluebird's plumage is so intensely iridescent that its color can shift from brilliant blue to violet depending on the angle of light. - It belongs to the unique family Irenidae, which contains only two species globally, making it a truly distinct avian lineage. - Despi...