Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone mutata
(aka Malagasy Paradise-flycatcher)
Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher, Perinet NP, Madagascar - click for larger image

Madagascar
November 2016

The Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher is endemic to Madagascar and the nearby Comoros. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It is found in all types of forest including secondary growth where it is usually easy to see perched then sallying for insects and spiders.

Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher, Ankarafantsika NP, Madagascar - click for larger image

The male as long white tail streamers and there are two colour morphs. The rufous morph is seen in photo 1 and the white morph in photos 2 and 3. The female (photos 4 and 5) lacks the tail streamers and the white on the wings.

The nests are surprisingly conspicuous as is the bird on the nest. The ones we saw were about 1 metre off the ground though they can be seen up to 6 ms up and consist of a deep cup of twigs, moss and spiders' webs at an intersection of two thin twigs or branches. It looks very vulnerable.

Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher, Ankarafantsika NP, Madagascar - click for larger image

Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher, Perinet NP, Madagascar - click for larger image

Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher, Ankarafantsika NP, Madagascar - click for larger image

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