కష్టేఫలి : May 2014

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Close-up of an Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Long tail of an Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Long white tail of an Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Beautiful bird - Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Asian Paradise Flycatcher with its shining head

Asian Paradise Flycatcher [Sub-Adult Male]

Asian Paradise Flycatcher with its long tail

Asian Paradise Flycatcher [Fully Grown Male]

Asian Paradise Flycatcher [Adult Male] in foliage

Adult male Asian Paradise Flycatcher with its long tail

Scientifically known as Terpsiphone paradisi, the Asian Paradise Flycatcher is a beautiful bird of medium-size found in Asia. As the name suggests, they eat flies! The best part is, they catch them on the flight. Due to this behavior, they look like dancing in the air especially the males with their beautiful long tails. It is a beautiful sight to see.

Adult Asian Paradise Flycatcher [Female]

Adult Asian Paradise Flycatcher [Female]

The Indian name of Asian Paradise Flycatchers is Swargiya Nartak [स्वर्गीय नर्तक], which means Dancer of the Heaven due to their dance-like flying style.

There is a peculiar belief [or maybe truth] that there are 2 male plumages of Asian Paradise Flycatcher:
1] White body and tail [first photo]
2] Brown body and tail [twenty second photo]

Some believe that the second type is a juvenile or a sub-adult.

Female Asian Paradise Flycatchers have brown body, white belly, short brown tail, grey-black head, blue beak, blue eye-border, blue legs. They look quite similar to the second type of male mentioned above, with short tail.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher [Adult Female] with brown, white and blue colors

Asian Paradise Flycatcher [Adult Female] with brown, white and blue colors

Asian Paradise Flycatcher looks an exotic bird, and we may believe at first sight that it must be endangered [me too thought so]. But Asian Paradise Flycatcher is categorized as Least Concerned by IUCN [International Union for Conservation of Nature].

Adult Male Asian Paradise Flycatcher