Terpsiphone cinnamomea
The Rufous Paradise Flycatcher, *Terpsiphone cinnamomea*, is a stunning monarch flycatcher renowned for its vibrant plumage and the dramatically elongated tail streamers of the male. Measuring typically 20-22 cm in body length, males can boast tail streamers extending an additional 14-16 cm, creating a breathtaking aerial display. Its entire body, save for the glossy blue-black head and crest, is a rich, warm rufous or cinnamon color, often complemented by a striking blue orbital ring. This d...
Primarily found in tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, including primary and secondary growth, forest edges, and occasionally mangroves, from lowlands up to approximately 1,200 meters elevation.
Feeds predominantly on insects, including flies, moths, beetles, and cicadas, supplemented with spiders, typically captured via aerial hawking or gleaning from vegetation.
Active during daylight hours, the Rufous Paradise Flycatcher is a highly arboreal species, often seen darting through the mid-canopy and understory. It employs an agile foraging strategy, primarily aerial hawking to snatch insects in flight, but also gleans prey from foliage and bark. During the ...
The Rufous Paradise Flycatcher is endemic to Southeast Asia, with its distribution centered primarily within the Philippines and extending into parts of Indonesia. In the Philippines, it is widespread across numerous islands, including Luzon, Mindoro, Palawan, Mindanao, and various islands within...
Least Concern
- The male Rufous Paradise Flycatcher's tail streamers can be nearly as long as its entire body, including the head and beak! - Its nest is a masterclass in camouflage, meticulously covered with moss and lichen to blend seamlessly with its forest surroundings. - Despite its 'flycatcher' name, it ...