The pale-chinned flycatcher (Cyornis poliogenys) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It has also been known in the past as pale-chinned blue flycatcher (on the IOC World Bird List up to 2023), and Brook's flycatcher.
Region
Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India to western Myanmar
Typical Environment
Occupies moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, dense secondary growth, and bamboo thickets, often near ravines and streams. Prefers shaded understory and forest edges where low perches are plentiful. Occurs in both primary and well-structured secondary forests. Locally extends into foothill forests and valleys with intact canopy and thick shrub layer.
Altitude Range
100–1600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known historically as the pale-chinned blue flycatcher and Brooke's flycatcher, this species is a small forest flycatcher of the Eastern Himalayas and adjoining Northeast India. Males show striking blue upperparts, while females are more subdued and brownish, aiding camouflage in the understory. It forages by sallying from low perches to snatch insects and often stays in shaded, humid thickets near streams.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with darting sallies
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within dense understory, maintaining small territories during the breeding season. Nests are typically placed low, forming a neat cup concealed in shrubs, banks, or crevices. Clutches are small, and both parents participate in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, sweet, whistled phrases delivered from concealed perches, with clear, mellow notes. Calls include thin, high 'tsee' or 'tsip' contact notes given during foraging.
Plumage
Male with bright blue upperparts and head, contrasting pale chin and whitish throat grading to warm buff on the breast and flanks; underparts otherwise whitish to buff. Female duller with brown-olive upperparts, slight bluish tinge on wings and tail, and a pale chin and throat with buffy underparts.
Diet
Consumes small flying insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and other arthropods. Hunts by sallying from low to mid-level perches and occasionally by gleaning from foliage. May take small berries opportunistically, especially outside peak insect abundance.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory and along forest edges, often near streams or damp gullies where insects concentrate. Uses bamboo clumps, vine tangles, and low branches as hunting perches.
