The sapphire flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Himalayas and Mainland Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayas through northeastern India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh (hill tracts), and south China to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It inhabits subtropical to tropical moist montane broadleaf and mixed forests, including oak–rhododendron belts. Birds favor the mid to upper canopy along forested slopes, ridgelines, and edges. They also use secondary growth, bamboo thickets, and clearings within forest mosaics. During the non-breeding season they descend to lower hill forests and well-wooded valleys.
Altitude Range
900–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The sapphire flycatcher is named for the male’s vivid cobalt-blue plumage, which can glow in dim forest light. It often joins mixed-species flocks while foraging in the mid-canopy and hunts by short aerial sallies to snatch insects. Populations make seasonal and altitudinal movements, descending in winter to lower elevations. Its quiet, high-pitched song can be surprisingly hard to locate in dense montane forest.
Temperament
shy but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs during the breeding season, sallying from mid-canopy perches. Outside breeding, it often joins mixed-species foraging flocks. The cup-shaped nest is placed on branches or in forks, lined with moss and fine fibers, and both parents tend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A soft, high-pitched series of thin whistles and trills, delivered from shaded perches. Calls include short, sharp notes used during foraging and contact within pairs.
Plumage
Male is striking with glossy sapphire-blue on the head and upperparts, contrasting darker bluish-slate underparts and a blackish face. Female is plain olive-brown above with grey-buff underparts and a subtle pale eye-ring. Both sexes have a neat, compact flycatcher build with a relatively short tail.
Diet
Primarily small flying insects such as flies, moths, beetles, and other arthropods. It hunts by sallying from exposed perches, returning to the same spot repeatedly. Occasional gleaning of insects from foliage occurs, and it may take small berries opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the mid to upper canopy of moist montane forest, along edges, gaps, and clearings. Also forages along ridgelines and in secondary growth where insect activity is high.
