The Taiwan vivid niltava or small vivid niltava is a bird in the family Muscicapidae. The species was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1864. It is endemic to Taiwan. The Chinese vivid niltava of the Asian mainland, which is larger in size, was formerly considered conspecific. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Taiwan
Typical Environment
Endemic to Taiwan’s montane forests, it frequents subtropical evergreen and mixed broadleaf–conifer forests. It favors shaded ravines, stream corridors, and dense understory with mossy banks and bamboo thickets. The species uses forest edges and secondary growth but is most common in mature, humid forest. It perches quietly in the mid- to lower understory and makes short sallies to capture prey. During the non-breeding season it may descend slightly to lower elevations where suitable cover persists.
Altitude Range
600–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Taiwan vivid niltava is a striking Old World flycatcher with strong sexual dimorphism: males are cobalt-blue with rich orange underparts, while females are brown-olive with subtle blue accents. It was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1864 and was long treated as conspecific with the larger Chinese vivid niltava of the mainland. The species is an indicator of healthy montane broadleaf forests and often keeps to shaded ravines. Despite its bright colors, it can be surprisingly secretive, sallying from low perches to catch insects.
Illustration by Joseph Wolf
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, becoming strongly territorial during the breeding season. Pairs nest in natural cavities, holes in banks, or crevices among roots and stumps, often lined with moss and fine fibers. Outside breeding, it may join mixed-species flocks loosely in the understory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow, rich series of clear whistles and warbled phrases delivered from shaded perches. Calls include soft ticks and metallic notes, often given when agitated or during territory defense.
Plumage
Male shows gleaming cobalt-blue crown, mantle, and tail with a black facial mask and rich orange-rufous underparts; wings are dark with blue edging. Female is warm brown-olive above with a buffy throat and breast, faint pale eye-ring, and bluish tones on the tail and rump.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other small arthropods, including beetles, moths, and spiders. It hunts by sallying from low, shaded perches and by gleaning from foliage and bark. Occasional small fruits or berries may be taken, especially outside the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the lower to mid understory of humid montane forest, along streams, ravines, and dense thickets. It often selects quiet, shaded perches with good aerial flycatching lanes and nearby cover.
