The blue-and-white flycatcher is a migratory songbird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The species is also known as the Japanese flycatcher. It breeds in Japan, Korea, and in parts of north eastern China and the Russian Far East. It winters in South East Asia, especially in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo. This species has been recorded as a vagrant from the Sinharaja Rainforest in Sri Lanka in 2014.
Region
East Asia and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in Japan, Korea, the Russian Far East, and northeastern China, favoring mature deciduous and mixed forests with a dense midstory. During migration it passes through eastern China and the Korean Peninsula, using forest edges and wooded parks. In the nonbreeding season it winters in continental and insular Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. It typically occupies shady ravines, riparian woods, and foothill forests, and will use secondary growth if tall trees are present.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Japanese flycatcher, this species shows striking sexual dimorphism: males are vivid cobalt-blue above with clean white underparts, while females are brown and subtly marked. It was historically lumped with Zappey’s flycatcher but is now treated as a separate species. It migrates long distances between temperate East Asian breeding grounds and tropical Southeast Asian wintering areas, using forested stopovers along the way.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies
Social Behavior
Breeding pairs establish and defend territories in forest interiors. The nest is typically placed in a natural cavity or crevice on a tree, sometimes using nest boxes, and is lined with fine plant material. Clutches are usually 4–5 eggs, and the male sings prominently from high perches while the female undertakes most incubation. Outside the breeding season they may join loose mixed-species flocks in forest midstory.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A rich, flute-like series of clear, ringing phrases with sweet, descending notes and trills. Calls include a sharp tik or tsip given during foraging and migration.
Plumage
Males have glossy cobalt-blue upperparts and throat with crisp white underparts and vent; females are warm brown above with buffy underparts and subtle streaking. Both sexes have fairly plain wings, with females sometimes showing faint wing bars.
Diet
Primarily takes flying insects such as flies, moths, beetles, and wasps, hawking them on short sallies from shaded perches. It also gleans caterpillars and other arthropods from leaves and branches. In the nonbreeding season, it may occasionally consume small berries when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the midstory and lower canopy of mature broadleaf or mixed forests, especially along streams and in gullies. Often forages at forest edges and in semi-open woodland during migration.
