[1] It inhabits the tall rainforests of southwest Sri Lanka and nests in bushes.

Its head and body is purple-black, the wings are maroon above and black below, and the long tail is dark green.

Despite its size and distinctive call, this is a difficult species to see because of the dense habitat in which it lives and its retiring nature.

It feeds on a wide range of insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates, but snails are a favourite.

[3] This bird appears in a 20 rupee Sri Lankan postal stamp.