🐦 Blue-throated Flycatcher (Cyornis rubeculoides) – The Sapphire Songbird of Shaded Forests

The Blue-throated Flycatcher is a strikingly beautiful and elusive forest songbird, known for its brilliant blue plumage and rich, fluty songs. Dwelling in the dense undergrowth of evergreen and moist deciduous forests, it is a gem for birdwatchers. While it is not a regular species of tidal mangroves, it is occasionally seen in the densely wooded fringes and transitional zones of the Sundarbans, particularly in buffer areas with tall trees and minimal human activity.

🏷 Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Muscicapidae
• Genus: Cyornis
• Species: Cyornis rubeculoides

💙 Its dazzling blue coloration and preference for forest stillness have made this bird a symbol of hidden natural beauty in India and Southeast Asia.

🔬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics

• Size: Small, about 13–14 cm (5–5.5 inches) in length.
• Weight: Approx. 12–15 grams.
• Coloration:
  • Males: Bright ultramarine blue upperparts, with an intense blue throat and breast, fading into orange or rufous flanks and white belly.
  • Females: More subdued, with olive-grey above and paler underparts, lacking the bright blue.
• Distinct Features:
  • Short tail and fine bill, suited for flycatching.
  • Fast, erratic flight and frequent tail flicking while perched.
  • Musical, fluty calls especially in the early morning.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

The Blue-throated Flycatcher is distributed throughout South and Southeast Asia, favoring dense broadleaf forests, bamboo thickets, and wooded ravines.

🌎 Regions of Presence:
✅ India (Eastern Himalayas, NE states, Eastern Ghats, parts of Bengal).
✅ Southeast Asia – Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia.
✅ Sundarbans (fringe zones, village groves, eco-tourism camps) – Rare, but possible in non-saline forest pockets.

📌 Preferred Habitat:

• Dense understorey of moist forests, near streams or bamboo patches.
• Old orchards, forest gardens, or buffer plantations.
• Quiet, undisturbed forest paths, particularly in hilly or shaded terrain.

✨ Special Features & Behavior

1️⃣ Expert Insect-Catcher – Feeds on flies, beetles, termites, and other invertebrates. 🐞🪰
2️⃣ Melodious Songster – Emits whistled, rich notes used in territory marking and courtship. 🎶
3️⃣ Territorial & Solitary – Usually seen alone or in breeding pairs.
4️⃣ Forest Health Indicator – Prefers insect-rich, minimally disturbed forests. 🌳
5️⃣ Nest Builder – Nests in tree hollows, earth banks, or bamboo splits with moss and rootlets.

🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

This flycatcher is not a regular mangrove species, but may be seen in:

📌 Fringe forests with high canopy and dense shade.
📌 Eco-resort gardens, village orchards, or bamboo groves with high insect density.
📌 Freshwater creek edges or forest transitions between mangrove and deciduous zones.

🕊️ Best chance of spotting: March to May, during migration and breeding activity when males sing most actively.

⚠️ Threats & Conservation Challenges

🚨 Deforestation and underbrush clearing in rural areas.
🚨 Pesticide use reducing insect populations.
🚨 Habitat fragmentation due to rapid tourism expansion.
🚨 Noise pollution affecting their secretive nesting and singing behavior.

✅ Conservation Measures

✔ Protect shaded forest patches and buffer zones.
✔ Encourage organic and native gardening in Sundarban eco-tourism zones.
✔ Raise awareness through birdwatching programs.
✔ Avoid clearing bamboo and understory vegetation in village plantations.

🚨 Conservation Status

📌 IUCN Red List: Least Concern ✅ (Widespread but habitat-sensitive).
📌 CITES: Not Listed
📌 Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV

Although not globally threatened, this species depends on intact forest habitats and is vulnerable to ecological change.

The Blue-throated Flycatcher is a feathered gem of the Indian forests, whose glowing blue throat and flute-like song make it a symbol of serenity and wilderness. Its presence near the Sundarbans’ transitional zones underscores the region’s rich avifaunal diversity. With mindful forest preservation and eco-sensitive tourism, we can continue to hear this blue beauty’s song in the shadows. 🌿💙🐦

🌟 Credit Note

🌿 Discover rare forest jewels with a Sundarban luxury tour package. 🛶✨
🌍 Plan a guided Sundarban private tour and explore birding trails along buffer forests. 🌴🐯
🐟 Dive into the region’s flavors at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 🎣🍽

For more details, visit the Blue-throated Flycatcher Wikipedia Page.