Pale Blue Flycatcher

The Pale Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis unicolor, is a dainty bird belonging to the family Muscicapidae. First described by the naturalist Edward Blyth in 1843, this species exhibits a delicate pale blue plumage, with the males typically more vividly colored than the females.

Identification Tips

Upon encountering this bird, one may note its pale blue upperparts, which contrast with the greyish underparts extending from throat to vent. A distinctive feature to look for is the discontinuous black eye-patch, which adds to its characteristic appearance.

Habitat

The Pale Blue Flycatcher favors the lush environments of subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, as well as subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, where it can flit about in the verdant undergrowth.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across Asia, with sightings reported in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Behaviour

Observations of the Pale Blue Flycatcher reveal a bird that shares its habitat with other species, often found in the same locales as the Verditer Flycatcher.

Similar Species

The Verditer Flycatcher is often mistaken for the Pale Blue Flycatcher due to their similar size and coloration. However, the Pale Blue Flycatcher can be distinguished by its paler blue hue and the greyish tones on its underparts.

Conservation status

BirdLife International has assessed the Pale Blue Flycatcher as being of Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats of significant population decline.