Blue paradise flycatcher

Blue paradise flycatcher
Male
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Monarchidae
Genus:	Terpsiphone
Species:	T. cyanescens
Binomial name
Terpsiphone cyanescens (Sharpe, 1877)
Synonyms
Zeocephus cyanescens

The blue paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone cyanescens) is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to Palawan. It is mainly found in the understory of lowland primary and secondary forests, however populations are likely to be declining owing to habitat loss.

Description

Ebird describes it as "A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of lowland forest understory on Palawan and neighboring islands. Has a blue bill, eye-ring, chest, and head with a slight crest at the back. Back, wings, and tail are blue in the male and rufous in the female. Female is distinctive. Male is similar to Black-naped Monarch, but larger, and lacks the black mark on the back of the head. Song consists of a rapidly pulsating series of fairly high-pitched nasal notes that increase in volume."

This species is monotypic and has no subspecies.

Ecology and behavior

It feeds on insects but otherwise not much is known about the specifics of its diet. Forages from ground level up to 15 meters high. Only 1 nest has been found in July, 2 meters above ground with a single creamy white egg with brown spotting. No other breeding information is available.

Habitat and conservation status

The species inhabits tropical moist lowland primary forest and secondary forest up restricted to the lowlands.

It is assesed as least-concern under the IUCN with populations believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss and deforestation. The whole of Palawan was designated as a Biosphere Reserve; however, protection and enforcement of laws has been difficult and these threats still continue. It occurs in the protected area of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.