• The brown-headed paradise kingfisher is a colourful kingfisher of New Guinea with a long tail.
• Males have elongated tail feathers.
• The brown-headed paradise kingfisher is an elegant island kingfisher.

The brown-headed paradise kingfisher exhibits distinct characteristics throughout its development; young birds have a short beak and their skin is covered with sparse down feathers during the first days. After a period of rapid growth, the young bird's tail is shorter than that of an adult. Adult brown-headed paradise kingfishers possess bright blue plumage on their back and wings, and a brown head without bright markings. The adult has very long tail feathers with paddle-like structures at the ends to attract a mate.