The large niltava is a species of bird in the Old world flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical montane forests.
Region
Himalayas and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayan foothills through northeastern India, Bhutan, Nepal, and south China into Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra). It inhabits subtropical and tropical montane evergreen and broadleaf forests, forest edges, and ravines. The species favors dense, shaded understory and areas near streams with tangled vegetation. It also uses secondary growth and bamboo thickets, particularly where canopy cover remains. Locally it makes altitudinal movements following seasons and food availability.
Altitude Range
600–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The large niltava is one of the largest Old World flycatchers, with males showing striking cobalt-blue and black plumage while females are subtly brown and buff for better camouflage. It often forages by sallying from shaded perches in the forest understory and is more often heard than seen. The species name “grandis” refers to its relatively large size among niltavas. Several subspecies occur across the Himalayas and mainland Southeast Asia.
Temperament
shy and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with sallying flights from perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining territories in dense forest. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season and nest in natural cavities, banks, or tree holes lined with moss and rootlets. Both parents typically feed the nestlings, and family groups may remain loosely associated after fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a rich, mellow series of whistled phrases, often delivered from a mid-level perch within dense cover. Calls include soft ticks and musical whistles, which carry well in montane forest.
Plumage
Male has deep cobalt-blue upperparts with a blackish face and throat, and rich blue highlights on crown and shoulders; underparts are dark. Female is warm brown with a buffy throat and subtle mottling, sometimes with a faint bluish tail or rump tinge. Both sexes have relatively plain wings and a broad-based flycatcher bill.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and flies, taken by sallying from shaded perches. It also consumes spiders and other small arthropods gleaned from foliage. During certain seasons it supplements its diet with berries and small fruits, especially when insect activity is lower.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the shaded understory and midstory of moist montane forests, often along streams, gullies, and dense thickets. Frequently hunts from low perches, making short sallies to capture prey, then returning to cover. It may visit fruiting shrubs at forest edges.
