Ultramarine Flycatcher

About

The Ultramarine Flycatcher is a small, striking passerine bird known for the brilliant blue plumage of the male. It is an insectivorous species found in the Himalayan region and parts of Southeast Asia, typically inhabiting dense undergrowth in forests.

Size & lifespan

Length

10-13 cm

Wingspan

16-19 cm

Weight

6-10 g

Lifespan

3-5 years (estimated in the wild)

Diet

Insectivore

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult male: Brilliant ultramarine blue upperparts, including crown, nape, back, and wings. A prominent white supercilium (eyebrow) extends from the lores to behind the eye. The throat and breast are white, often with a faint bluish wash on the sides of the breast. The flanks are greyish, and the belly is white. The tail is dark with blue edges. Adult female: Dull olive-brown upperparts, often with a faint bluish tinge on the rump and tail. The underparts are dull whitish to pale buff, sometimes with a faint yellowish wash on the flanks. A pale buffy or whitish supercilium is present but less distinct than in the male. Juvenile: Similar to the female but often with a scaly or mottled appearance on the upperparts and breast, and a more rufous tinge.

Beak shape

Small, slender, pointed black beak, typical of an insectivorous flycatcher, adapted for catching insects in flight or from foliage.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Dark grey to blackish

Distinguishing features

Male's striking ultramarine blue upperparts with a prominent white supercilium and white underparts. Female's dull olive-brown upperparts with a pale supercilium. Its small size and active foraging behavior are also key.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble females but are often more mottled or scaly on the upperparts and breast, with a slightly rufous wash.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes in adults; breeding and non-breeding plumages are similar. Juveniles molt into adult-like plumage within their first year.

Sexual dimorphism

Highly sexually dimorphic. Males are bright ultramarine blue and white, while females are dull olive-brown and whitish.

How to identify

1. 1

   Male Plumage

   Look for the striking ultramarine blue upperparts, contrasting sharply with a bright white supercilium and pure white throat/breast. The flanks are greyish.

2. 2

   Female Plumage

   Identify by dull olive-brown upperparts, a less distinct pale supercilium, and dull whitish to pale buff underparts. A faint bluish wash on the rump/tail can be a clue.

3. 3

   Size and Shape

   It's a small, compact flycatcher with a relatively short tail and a typical upright posture when perched.

4. 4

   Behavior

   Observe its active foraging style, darting out from perches to catch insects, often in the lower to mid-canopy or undergrowth.

5. 5

   Vocalization

   Listen for the male's sweet, high-pitched, whistled song, especially during the breeding season. The sharp 'tseet' call is also distinctive.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, temperate forests, broadleaf forests, mixed forests, and dense undergrowth.

Geographic range

Himalayan region (from Pakistan eastward through India, Nepal, Bhutan), parts of Southeast Asia (Myanmar, northern Thailand, northern Laos, northern Vietnam, and southern China).

Elevation range

Typically found at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters (approximately 3,900 to 9,800 feet), though can be found lower in winter.

Preferred environments

Dense undergrowth, forest edges, ravines, and areas with good shrub cover within broadleaf and mixed forests. Often near streams or damp areas.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal

Feeding habits

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small insects and their larvae, often caught in flight (hawking) or gleaned from foliage and branches. They are active foragers, constantly moving through the undergrowth and lower canopy.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they may join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Flight pattern

Short, agile flights between perches, often darting out to catch insects in mid-air. Flight is typically undulating over longer distances.

Migration pattern

Altitudinal migrant. Breeds at higher elevations in the Himalayas and descends to lower altitudes (sometimes as low as 300 meters) during the winter months. Some populations in Southeast Asia may be resident or undertake shorter-distance movements.

Territoriality

Males are territorial during the breeding season, defending their nesting sites and foraging areas with songs and displays.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

May to July, varying slightly with geographic location and altitude.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically cup-shaped, constructed from moss, lichen, fine roots, and spider silk, often placed in a hollow or crevice in a tree trunk, a bank, or among roots, usually close to the ground or low in a bush.

Clutch size

3-5 eggs

Egg description

Typically 3-5 eggs, pale greenish-blue or whitish, often speckled with reddish-brown or purplish-brown spots, particularly at the broader end.

Incubation period

Approximately 12-14 days

Fledging period

Approximately 12-15 days after hatching, young leave the nest.

Parental care

Both parents participate in incubation and feeding of the nestlings. The male often brings food to the female during incubation.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look in the undergrowth. Unlike some flycatchers that perch high, the Ultramarine Flycatcher often forages in the lower to mid-story of the forest, so focus your attention there.
2. Listen for its song. During the breeding season, the male's melodious song is often the easiest way to locate this species, even before you see it.
3. Be patient and observant. They are small and can be quite active, moving quickly through foliage. Patience and careful observation of movement will increase your chances.
4. Visit during migration. During altitudinal migration (spring and autumn), they may be found at lower elevations, making them potentially more accessible.

Similar species

Quick facts

Key Feature (Male):

Brilliant ultramarine blue with white supercilium and underparts

Habitat:

Montane forests, dense undergrowth

Diet:

Insects

Migration:

Altitudinal migrant

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Fun facts

• The name 'Ultramarine' refers to the deep blue pigment, reflecting the male's striking plumage color.
• Despite their bright coloration, males can be surprisingly difficult to spot in the dappled light of their forest habitat.
• They are often seen flicking their wings and tail while perched, a common flycatcher behavior.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Muscicapidae

Genus

Ficedula

Species

Ficedula superciliaris

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