African paradise flycatcher

African paradise flycatcher

We are delighted that Anke Schäkel has taken on the sponsorship of the African Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis).

Among the paradise flycatchers (genus: Terpsiphone), it is the most widespread: the African or grey-breasted paradise flycatcher is found in almost every country in sub-Saharan Africa and is only absent in very arid regions. It is found in tree savannahs, on plantations, in open forest formations and in thickets along coasts and watercourses and in a variety of other habitats. In the rainforest areas of West and Central Africa, it is mainly found on the edges or in the typical large forest clearings.

The plumage is extremely variable depending on origin. What all species have in common, however, is the striking crown of feathers that adorns the head and the greatly elongated tail feathers, especially in males, which they flaunt in front of the females during courtship displays.

The delicate-looking birds are almost always on the move, flitting around in the branches or whizzing through the terrain in graceful undulating flight. Typical of flycatchers, they often capture their insect food - which by no means consists solely of flies - from the air.