Cassandra: The Definitive Guide

Colophon

The bird on the cover of Cassandra: The Definitive Guide is a Paradise flycatcher. Part of the family of monarch flycatchers (Monarchidae), Paradise flycatchers are passerine (perching) insectivores. They’re the most widely distributed of the monarch flycatchers and can be found from sub-Saharan Africa to Southeast Asia and on many Pacific islands. While most species are resident, others, including the Japanese Paradise flycatcher and the Satin flycatcher, are migratory.

Most species of Paradise flycatcher are sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females look different. Females of most species tend to be less brilliantly colored than their male counterparts, which are also characterized by long tail feathers that vary in length according to species. For example, the male Asian Paradise flycatcher’s tail streamers can be approximately 15 inches long. Female flycatchers are believed to select their mate based on tail length. Paradise flycatchers are monogamous, which makes their distinctive coloring and plumage unusual, as this form of sexual display is usually reserved for nonmonogamous species.

Because they’re so widely distributed, Paradise flycatchers can be found in a variety of habitats, including savannas, bamboo groves, rain forests, deciduous forests, and even cultivated gardens. Most species catch their food on the wing, thanks in part to their quick reflexes and sharp eyesight.

The cover image is from Cassell’s Natural History, Vol. IV. The cover font is Adobe ...