Indian Paradise Flycatcher

This species is defined as a Review Species. Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page.

Scientific Name: Terpsiphone paradisi
Malay Name: Murai-Gading India
Chinese Name: 印度寿带

Range:
Found from northern Afghanistan, Pakistan, western China, Indian subcontinent, Nepal, central Bangladesh, south-western Myanmar to Sri Lanka with some populations known to winter south to Sri Lanka.

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: leucogaster, paradisi, ceylonensis.

Size:

Identification:
All ages, sexes and morph types resemble Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher and Amur Paradise Flycatcher but can be easily separated from these similar looking species by its long, pointed and fully erected crest.

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

Habitat: Inhabit thick forests and well-wooded habitats in its breeding range.

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: Very rare vagrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Featured articles:

Featured reports: Sep 2022, Nov 2022

Past accepted records in our database:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Indian Paradise Flycatcher at SBWR. Photo credit: Feroz Fizah
Indian Paradise Flycatcher at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Indian Paradise Flycatcher at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Indian Paradise Flycatcher at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Indian Paradise Flycatcher at SBWR. Photo credit: Feroz Fizah
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Indian Paradise-Flycatcher)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Terpsiphone paradisi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T103715992A155628184.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023