Amur Paradise Flycatcher

Amur Paradise Flycatcher

Scientific Name: Terpsiphone incei

Malay Name: Murai-Gading Utara

Chinese Name: 寿带

Range: Found from China, Korea, Japan to Southeastern Russia, wintering to Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Singapore and Indonesia.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 20-22 cm

Identification: For female and first-winter/sub-adult birds, deeper maroon-chestnut upperparts and tail, black hood (crown, face and throat) contrast markedly with the greyish upperbreast. The tail of adult males can extend up to 27 cm or more but is rarely seen in Singapore. Adult males of three paradise flycatcher species found in Singapore (Amur, Blyth’s and Indian) occur as a white as well as a brown morph. However, white birds (rare in Singapore) with nearly all white plumage and glossy black head cannot be conclusively identified as either Amur or Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher.

Similar looking species: Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher, Black Paradise Flycatcher, Indian Paradise Flycatcher

Habitat: Any wooded habitat ranging from broadleaved evergreen forest to secondary growth, mangroves, parks, gardens and offshore islands.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feed on a variety of insects taken in sallies from a perch or snatched as they flush. Usually forage high up the canopy.

Local Status: Common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Suitable wooded areas like Central Catchment Forest, Bidadari, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Japanese/Chinese Gardens, Neo Tiew Lane 2, Sungei Buloh, Tuas South, Lorong Halus, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Hantu.

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Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Amur Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone incei
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Oct 08-Oct 14
Early date 08 Aug 1984
Late date 18 May 2021
Based on current knowledge it seems that between Sep-Nov this species is fairly common, occurring alongside the less common Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher.

References:

BirdLife International. (2017). Terpsiphone incei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T103716012A119717853.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula (Vol. 1). Academic Press, London.

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