Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher

The Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher has three different plumage variations. For the male there are two distinct morphs. Up to the age of three or four, the male is sexually immature and is in the red phase. The body is almost entirely red with a white bar on the wings, which are black-grey apart from the coverts, which remain red. The beak and legs are grey-blue while the head is covered in a black-blue and glossy cap starting from the base of the beak and extending down to the nape of the neck. There is also a bright turquoise-blue orbital circle which is more visible during mating season and a crest on the top of the nape.
As the males become sexually mature in their fourth year, they enter the white phase. The body and the tail are white, while the back may vary from black to white. The wings are black with a white edging on the remiges. The beak and legs are grey-blue while the head is black-blue, covering the entire head and throat. There is also a bright turquoise-blue orbital circle.
During mating season, for both morphs, the medium rectrices become 20 cm long although they will shed after moulting.
The female is almost identical to the immature male however she does not experience an increase in rectrix length during mating season and her body is entirely red.
In all three plumage variations, the Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher has large vibrissae at the base of the beak.