Bedford's Paradise-Flycatcher

Terpsiphone bedfordi

An unusual paradise-flycatcher, slate-gray overall with a slightly darker head. Males have slightly elongated central tail feathers. Both sexes have a blue bill and ring around the eye. A poorly known bird that is found in humid forest at lower middle elevations along the west side of the Albertine Rift. Similar in shape to other paradise-flycatchers, but easily separated by the gray underparts. Reminiscent of Dusky and Blue-headed Crested-Flycatchers, but larger and less crested, with more vertical posture. Call is a series of tearing “shreet” notes, and song is a fast, bubbling series of “twee” notes.

Taxonomy

Bedford's paradise flycatcher was originally described in the genus Trochocercus . Alternate names include the Duke of Bedford flycatcher and red-bellied paradise-flycatcher, the latter not to be confused with the species of the same name, Terpsiphone rufiventer.

Scientific name
Terpsiphone bedfordi
Authority
(Ogilvie-Grant, 1907)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Monarchidae
Genus
Terpsiphone

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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