🐦 Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae) – The Jewel-Toned Forest Crooner

The Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher is a vividly colored, melodious songbird that brings a splash of blue and gold to the forest understory. Shy yet inquisitive, it prefers quiet wooded areas with plenty of shade, moisture, and insect life. While not a core mangrove species, it is occasionally seen in the Sundarbans’ buffer zones, particularly in dense gardens, eco-resorts, and forest fringes rich in trees and shrubs.

🏷 Taxonomy

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

🎨 Named after British ornithologist Samuel Tickell, this flycatcher is a favorite among birdwatchers for its charming looks and cheerful song.

🔬 Morphology & Physical Characteristics

• Size: Small, about 10–12 cm (4–5 inches) long.
• Weight: Around 10–12 grams.
• Coloration:
  • Males: Bright cobalt blue head and back, orange throat and chest, and white belly.
  • Females: Duller blue-grey with lighter orange and cream tones.
• Distinct Features:
  • Thin, upright stance and slim insect-catching bill.
  • Constant tail-flicking and quick movements in lower foliage.
  • Known for gentle warbles and trills, often sung from concealed perches.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

The Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher is widespread across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, preferring moist deciduous forests, well-shaded gardens, and riverine woodlands.

🌎 Key Locations:
✅ Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, central and eastern India.
✅ Sundarbans (outer villages and forest fringes) – Occasionally seen near tree plantations and eco-lodges.
✅ Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand – Also present in tropical forest zones.

📌 Preferred Habitat:

• Thickets and bamboo groves near water bodies.
• Orchards, village gardens, and sacred groves.
• Quiet forest edges with dense canopy and leaf litter.

✨ Special Features & Adaptations

1️⃣ Skilled Insect Hunter – Catches insects mid-air or by swooping down from low branches. 🪰
2️⃣ Territorial Singer – Males sing melodious tunes to attract mates and mark territory. 🎶
3️⃣ Nests in Cavities & Wall Crevices – Also uses tree holes and bamboo joints. 🪵
4️⃣ Shy and Solitary – Prefers calm, undisturbed environments, making it a rare delight to observe. 🌿
5️⃣ Indicator of Forest Health – Prefers clean, insect-rich areas, making its presence a sign of biodiversity.

🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

While not a mangrove-dweller, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher has been recorded in:

📌 Eco-tourism lodges and forest camps in the Sundarbans buffer zone.
📌 Village groves, orchards, and school gardens with shady trees.
📌 Forest edge paths and freshwater zones where insects are abundant.

🎧 Often heard softly singing from a bamboo patch or mango tree, especially during early mornings.

⚠️ Threats & Conservation Challenges

🚨 Habitat Loss – Due to deforestation and replacement with monocultures.
🚨 Disturbance by tourism & noise, especially near forest rest houses.
🚨 Reduction in insect population due to pesticide use.
🚨 Nest predation by cats and rodents in semi-urban areas.

✅ Conservation Measures

✔ Promoting native plantations in village groves and tourism hubs.
✔ Organic farming practices to preserve insect populations.
✔ Restricting noise and pollution in bird-sensitive areas.
✔ Birding education programs to reduce disturbance and encourage sightings.

🚨 Conservation Status

📌 IUCN Red List: Least Concern ✅ (Stable populations across range).
📌 CITES: Not Listed
📌 Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV

Though common, local decline can occur where undergrowth is cleared or pesticide use is high.

The Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher is a gem of the lower canopy, bringing color and melody to quiet, shaded corners of the forest. Its occasional presence in the Sundarbans’ buffer landscapes reflects the ecological richness of rural Bengal. Through community awareness, tree-rich tourism, and natural gardening, we can ensure this charming little bird continues to sing from hidden perches across the region. 🌳💙🐦

🌟 Credit Note

🌿 Explore Bengal’s vibrant forest-edge birdlife with a Sundarban private tour package. 🛶✨
🌍 Plan a soulful escape into nature with a serene Sundarban luxury tour. 🐯🌴
🐟 Feast on flavors during the monsoon magic at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 🎣🍽

For more details, visit the Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher Wikipedia Page.