Malaysian birds - Hill-blue Flycatcher

Size & diagnostic markings:- 15 Cm. This bird is wintering here and has the habit of returning to the same spot. It also awaits its food within a small confine in which it will perch for long period. The Hill Blue Flycatcher at 15 cm is also a notch larger than the average size family members. The upper part is uniform deep blue with lighter shade at the fore crown. the under part in pure white sharing a orange-rufous throat and for this species extending further. A small thin stripe at the front of the wing.

Distribution :- This is a bird of Nepal, north-east India, south-western China, Java and Borneo.

Habitats & preferences:- This is a sub-montane forest bird, preferring dense forest

The Hill Blue Flycatcher may appear to be bulkier at 15 cm long. There is a possibility of sighting 2 sub-species in Malaysia. One has almost settled down as a resident and another a winter visitor. Gauged by the tone of the rufous colored breast. Unknown to me, these pictures taken in the low hills of Pangsoon as well as sub-montane Bukit Tinggi could be featuring both birds.

This bird has its origin in areas like the southern-eastern foothills of the Himalayas, Java and Borneo Island. As mentioned earlier is a resident as well as Winter visitor to Malaysia. The sighting in Pangsoon was isolated whereas the birds confirmed to be a visitors were linked to sub-montane places such as The Awana and Bukit Tinggi.

This bird prefers the middle to lower storey, choosing a series of favorite perches and wandering the area with these perches. It could be a long wait when the bird had wandered off and returning to the perch stalked. The female though sighted in the same area was never together with the male and very watchful for human presence.

Hill-Blue Flycatcher's picture # 1