Ultramarine Flycatcher
A species of Ficedula Flycatchers Scientific name : Ficedula superciliaris Genus : Ficedula Flycatchers
Ultramarine Flycatcher, A species of Ficedula Flycatchers
Botanical name: Ficedula superciliaris
Genus: Ficedula Flycatchers
Content
Description General Info
Description
Somewhat smaller in size than a sparrow (ca. 10 cm) and with a stocky build. The male is deep blue above, sides of head and neck are deep blue, and a prominent white patch runs from centre of throat, through breast to belly. The amount of white on the brow and tail show clinal variation from West to East along the Himalayan foothills, which is sometimes taken to distinguish three subspecies: The western subspecies from the western Himalayas has a distinctive white supercilium and white bases to the outer tail feathers. The eastern subspecies (Ficedula superciliaris aestigma) from the eastern Himalayas lacks distinct white patches. The population from the south Assam hills (sometimes designated a third subspecies cleta) completely lack any supercilium. Usually singly, though sometimes in mixed hunting parties in the winter. Keeps largely to the low trees and bushes, feeding among the foliage canopy, not venturing much into the open. Constantly jerks up its tail, often accompanied by fluffing of head feathers and trrr note, especially in proximity of nest. Diet is mainly insects.
Size
12 cm
Feeding Habits
Ultramarine Flycatcher primarily consume insects. Their foraging involves responding to indirect cues for risk management. They exhibit a diet preferring variety and display unique hunting tactics.
Habitat
The ultramarine Flycatcher frequents a variety of forested areas. Its preferred habitats include dense broadleaf forests and also regions consisting of pine forests. During non-breeding seasons, it opts for more open environments such as deciduous woodlands, along with culturally modified landscapes like groves, orchards, gardens, and parks.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Behavior
Typically they respond to indirect cues more than direct cues in relation to risk management when foraging for food.
Distribution Area
Summer: Common breeding visitor to the western Himalayas, from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand (western race), and intergrading within Nepal with the eastern race Ficedula superciliaris aestigma which continues in the eastern Himalayas through Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh. Breeding between 2000–2700 m, occasionally as low as 1800 and as high as 3200 m. Also in the lower hills of Meghalaya and Nagaland, Khasi and Cachar hills, sometimes considered a third race; winter movements of this population is not known. Habitat: Open, mixed forests of oak, rhododendron, pine, fir, etc., occasionally orchards. Winter: Central India from Delhi south to northern Maharashtra, Goa, northern Maharashtra, and eastward to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Wintering populations in the eastern states, possibly from Nepal/Sikkim, are mixed: a good part of this population also have white supercilium and basal tail patches (see description below). Also sometimes found as a vagrant in the northern part of Bangladesh.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Old world flycatchers Genus
Ficedula Flycatchers Species
Ultramarine Flycatcher