Fairy bluebird - Definition and Overview

The two fairy-bluebirds are small passerine bird species found in forests and plantations in tropical southern Asia and The Philippines. They are the sole members of the family Irenidae, but are related to the ioras and leafbirds.

These are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but whereas that group tends to be drab in coloration, fairy-bluebirds are sexually dimorphic, with the males being dark blue in plumage, and the females duller green.

These species eat fruit, especially figs, and maybe some insects. They lay 2-3 eggs in a tree nest.

The call of the Asian Fairy-bluebird is a liquid two note Glue-It.

As one would expect, the Asian Fairy-bluebird occurs across southern Asia, and the Philippine Fairy-bluebird in that archipelago.

• Family: Irenidae
  • Asian Fairy-bluebird, Irena puella
  • Philippine Fairy-bluebird, Irena cyanogaster