Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher Tanysiptera danae Scientific name definitions

28–30 cm, including tail-streamers; male 37–46 g, female 42–50 g. Male rufous-brown crown and back , bright pink rump, blue wing-coverts; pink chin and throat, richer deep pink breast and abdomen, paler flanks and undertail-coverts; purplish-blue uppertail, central feathers 9 cm longer than rest and with white tips and narrow inner margins at base , lateral tail feathers dusky grey; bill red; iris dark brown; legs and feet pink to orange-red. Female buff chin and throat. Juvenile browner crown, olive-brown upperparts, scaly underparts, orange bill with brown at base.

SE New Guinea from Waria R and Aroa R E to NW shore of Milne Bay (Alotau).

Insects, including beetles (Coleoptera) and caterpillars. Perches relatively higher in the forest than T. galatea.

Almost no information, but highest intensity of calling is from May to Oct, and a bird excavating nest has been recorded in Sept.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Patchily distributed; scarce in some areas but common in others. Regularly recorded in Varirata National Park. No figures available on population levels, and no information on any possible threats. Data required on all aspects of its status and biology.