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 the 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 could not be conclusively identified as either Amur or Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher.

Similar looking species: Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher, Japanese 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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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.