There are two fairy-bluebirds – the Asian fairy-bluebird (Irena puella) occurs across southern Asia, and the Philippine fairy-bluebird in that archipelago. They are the sole members of the genus Irena and family Irenidae, and are related to the ioras and leafbirds. Males are brilliant blue and black – when the sun lights up the male’s back, the sapphire-blue feathers are very conspicuous. Females are a duller turquoise. Both have red eyes. The Asian fairy bluebird inhabits forests, both lowland and montane, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the Greater Sundas and the Philippines.
