Asian Paradise Flycatcher (White morph)
This is one of the most wanted bird listed by
birders in Malaysia. My APF was caught in Ulu Kali Genting. It is likely on its
way back for spring. It is striking enough with its long curly tail that extend
upto to 1.5 ft or so streamers. It has this habit of spiral dance when it drops
downs from the canopy. A lovely sight. The long tail do hinder swift flying of
its counterpart subspecies. Though it is a winter visitor from India &
Himalaya states; there are records of APF nestings locally.
The white morph still have a glossy black head and black crested crown , their black bill round and sturdy, their eyes black with a bluish eyering. As adult they develop up to 24 cm long tail feathers. Their rufous plumage moults into white with the central pair of tail feathers growing up to 30 cm long streamers that droop. There are adults called rufous-morph with rufous wings and tail but white underparts.
Asian Paradise-flycatchers are noisy birds uttering sharp skreek calls but are quiet bird in migratory mode. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. They are insectivorous and hunt in flight in the understorey. In the afternoons they dive from perches to bathe in small pools of water.
The breeding season is summer (May to July) Three or four eggs are laid in a neat cup nest made with twigs and spider webs on the end of a low branch. The nest is sometimes built in the vicinity of a breeding pair of drongos, which keep away predators. The eggs are incubated by both the male and female. Chicks hatch in about 21 to 23 days. A case of interspecific feeding has been noted with chicks of the Paradise Flycatcher fed by Oriental White-eyes.
The white morph still have a glossy black head and black crested crown , their black bill round and sturdy, their eyes black with a bluish eyering. As adult they develop up to 24 cm long tail feathers. Their rufous plumage moults into white with the central pair of tail feathers growing up to 30 cm long streamers that droop. There are adults called rufous-morph with rufous wings and tail but white underparts.
Asian Paradise-flycatchers are noisy birds uttering sharp skreek calls but are quiet bird in migratory mode. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. They are insectivorous and hunt in flight in the understorey. In the afternoons they dive from perches to bathe in small pools of water.
The breeding season is summer (May to July) Three or four eggs are laid in a neat cup nest made with twigs and spider webs on the end of a low branch. The nest is sometimes built in the vicinity of a breeding pair of drongos, which keep away predators. The eggs are incubated by both the male and female. Chicks hatch in about 21 to 23 days. A case of interspecific feeding has been noted with chicks of the Paradise Flycatcher fed by Oriental White-eyes.
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