One of the most graceful and eye-catching birds found across sub-Saharan Africa, from dry savannas to woodlands and forest edges. With its slender body, upright posture, and flowing tail feathers, it’s a true showstopper in the treetops. Males are especially dazzling, often growing long, ribbon-like central tail feathers that stream behind them in flight, giving them the look of a bird dancing through the air. Depending on the region and individual variation, males may be chestnut brown, black, or even white, with a striking glossy black or blue-black head and a small crest. Females are smaller and shorter-tailed, with warm brown tones and less dramatic plumage, but still elegant in their own right.
Like others in the Terpsiphone genus, the African paradise flycatcher is an insectivore, expertly catching flying insects mid-air with swift, acrobatic movements. It often perches quietly on low branches, watching for prey before launching into a flurry of motion to snatch a passing fly, beetle, or moth. Its wide, flattened bill is fringed with fine bristles that help it trap prey during flight. These birds are active, curious, and agile, often flicking their tails or wings as they move through their territory.
One of the most fascinating things about the African paradise flycatcher is its plumage variation. Across its range, there are many different color morphs—some males are deep chestnut, others white with black heads and tails. These variations often overlap in the same population, making the species incredibly diverse in appearance. This polymorphism has puzzled scientists, but it adds to the bird’s mystique and appeal.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Oman
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
