White-bellied Blue Flycatcher

The White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Cyornis pallidipes, presents a striking figure in the dense forests of southwest India. This small passerine, approximately 13 centimeters in length, boasts a longish beak suited to its insectivorous diet. The male is adorned in a resplendent indigo blue with a supercilium and forehead of a lighter ultramarine. His lores and face are a contrasting dark grey, while his belly is a pristine white, edged with a smoky grey wash. The female, in contrast, wears an olive brown above with whitish lores, and her rufous throat and breast gently fade to white towards the belly. Her tail is a warm chestnut, distinguishing her from other flycatchers.

Identification Tips

In the male, look for the distinctive indigo blue plumage with a lighter blue brow and a white belly. The female can be identified by her olive brown upperparts, whitish lores, and rufous breast. Both sexes lack the black and white tail pattern seen in some other flycatchers. In the dim forest light, one might confuse the female with the White-bellied Blue Robin, but note the robin's longer legs and propensity to be seen on the ground.

Habitat

The White-bellied Blue Flycatcher is a denizen of dense forest and sholas, preferring the shaded understory of these lush environments.

Distribution

Endemic to the Western Ghats, including the Nilgiris, this species ranges from Mahabaleshwar through the Western Ghats, extending into the Nilgiris and the Biligirirangan Hills, and further south to Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is typically found in hill forests from the foothills up to about 1700 meters in the Nilgiris.

Behaviour

A creature of quiet disposition and often inactive, the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher forages in the dark shade below the forest canopy. It is known to make aerial forays to capture insects. These birds are typically observed alone or in pairs and may join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Song & calls

The song of this flycatcher is a very low, rambling series of rising and falling broken notes, interspersed with clicks and squeaks, audible only at close quarters.

Breeding

The breeding season spans from February to September, peaking with the monsoon. The nest is a rough cup of moss, neatly lined inside, and placed low on a moss-covered rock, in a tree hole, or on a mud-bank. The clutch usually consists of four pale sea-green eggs, adorned with brown spots that are denser at the broader end.

Diet and Feeding

This species is insectivorous, adeptly making aerial sallies from the shaded understory to capture its prey.

Conservation status

The White-bellied Blue Flycatcher is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.