MPPSC 2018 Prelims Paper-I · Question 1 of 100

Correct — C, the Paradise flycatcher. Madhya Pradesh's state bird is the Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi), known locally as 'Dudhraj' or 'Shah Bulbul'. The breeding male is unmistakable — a glossy black-crested head with long, ribbon-like white (or rufous) central tail streamers that trail far beyond its body.

• (a)Peacock — The peacock (Indian peafowl) is the NATIONAL bird of India — not the state bird of Madhya Pradesh. This national-vs-state swap is the classic trap here.
• (b)Moorhen — The moorhen is a common waterbird of ponds and marshes; it is not the notified state bird of Madhya Pradesh.
• (d)Parrot — Parrots (parakeets) are widespread across India but are not designated as Madhya Pradesh's state bird.

Every Indian state notifies its own official symbols — a state bird, state animal, state tree and so on. Madhya Pradesh's state bird is the Paradise flycatcher (Dudhraj), its state animal is the Barasingha (swamp deer), and its state tree is the Banyan. These 'state symbol' facts are staple one-line recall questions in MPPSC.

The tempting move is to grab the peacock — India's national bird — or another showy option. State birds are usually region-specific species, and Madhya Pradesh chose the elegant, long-tailed Paradise flycatcher.

• MP state bird: Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi), local name Dudhraj / Shah Bulbul.
• The breeding male grows long white or rufous ribbon-like central tail streamers.
• MP state animal: Barasingha (swamp deer); MP state tree: Banyan.
• The peacock is India's NATIONAL bird — not a state-specific symbol.

• Confusing India's national bird (peacock) with a state bird
• Mixing up MP's state animal (Barasingha) with its state bird (Paradise flycatcher)

MPPSC repeatedly asks 'state bird / animal / tree of Madhya Pradesh' as direct one-line recall — lock each symbol to its exact species.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The state animal of Madhya Pradesh is:

  • (a)Tiger
  • (b)Barasingha (swamp deer)
  • (c)Blackbuck
  • (d)Chinkara

  Answer(b) Barasingha (swamp deer) — MP's state animal, famously protected in Kanha National Park.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The breeding male of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher is best identified by:

  • (a)A bright red breast
  • (b)Long ribbon-like central tail streamers
  • (c)A large curved beak
  • (d)Webbed feet

  Answer(b) Long ribbon-like central tail streamers.