The Kalao blue flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae that is endemic to the island of Kalao, Selayar Islands, South Sulawesi. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
This species is confined to the island of Kalao in the Selayar Islands, where it occupies coastal mangrove forests and adjacent scrub. It keeps to shaded understory and mid-story layers, often along tidal creeks and forest edges. It may also use fringe vegetation such as nipa palms and patches of secondary growth near mangroves. The species is generally absent from heavily disturbed coastal zones and interior non-mangrove habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A recently recognized island endemic, the Kalao blue flycatcher is restricted to the small island of Kalao in the Selayar group off South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is a mangrove specialist that forages by sallying from shaded perches. Very little has been published about its ecology, and its tiny range likely makes it sensitive to habitat disturbance. It was formerly treated within the Sulawesi blue flycatcher complex but is now recognized as distinct.
Temperament
shy and retiring
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs within territories in mangrove stands. Pairs maintain close contact calls while foraging and are most active at dawn and late afternoon. Nesting is presumed to be a small cup hidden in dense vegetation near water, as in related Cyornis species.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, sweet series of whistles and trills delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include thin, high tsip notes and short, buzzy contact calls.
