The Fujian niltava is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in Cambodia, southern China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
Southern China and Mainland Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in southern China, including Fujian and adjacent provinces, and occurs in Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia in the non-breeding season. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist broadleaf forest, from lowland evergreen to montane oak–rhododendron forests. Birds favor dense understory near streams, ravines, and shaded forest edges. It also uses secondary woodland and mature plantations when understory cover is intact.
Altitude Range
100–2400 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Fujian niltava is a forest flycatcher noted for the male’s vivid blue upperparts and rich rufous underparts. It was long treated as a subspecies of Rufous-bellied Niltava but is now widely recognized as a distinct species based on plumage and vocal differences. It breeds in southern China and shifts southward or downslope in the non-breeding season into Indochina.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with sallying flights from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, especially in the breeding season. Territorial males sing from shaded mid-story perches. Nests are placed in cavities, banks, or crevices, lined with moss and fibers; both parents feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a mellow series of rich, whistled phrases with clear, flute-like notes. Calls include soft ticks and short, buzzy scolds given from cover.
