Cyornis montanus
The Dayak Blue Flycatcher (*Cyornis montanus*) is a vibrant and elusive passerine bird endemic to the montane forests of Borneo. Reaching approximately 14-15 cm in length and weighing around 12-16 grams, the male is strikingly colored with a deep, iridescent ultramarine blue on its upperparts, head, and throat, contrasting sharply with a white belly and vent. A distinct black facial mask extends from the lores to behind the eye, often highlighted by a brighter blue supercilium. Females are du...
This species strictly inhabits the dense understory and mid-strata of montane primary and mature secondary forests, typically found at elevations ranging from 900 to 2,000 meters above sea level. It prefers areas with abundant moss, ferns, and epiphytes, often near ravines or streams.
Primarily insectivorous, the Dayak Blue Flycatcher feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, including beetles, ants, flies, and caterpillars, which it catches by sallying and gleaning.
The Dayak Blue Flycatcher is generally a solitary and somewhat shy bird, often observed foraging quietly in the lower to mid-canopy. It primarily employs a "sally-gleaning" technique, perching on a favored branch and darting out to snatch insects from foliage or the air, occasionally dropping to ...
The Dayak Blue Flycatcher is strictly endemic to the island of Borneo, where it is found exclusively in the montane regions. Its distribution spans across the highlands of Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei in Malaysian Borneo, as well as parts of Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo. Key locations include Mo...
Near Threatened
- The Dayak Blue Flycatcher was only officially recognized as a distinct species in 2017, after being "hidden" within the Mangrove Blue Flycatcher complex for decades. - Its scientific name, *montanus*, literally means "of the mountains," perfectly reflecting its restricted montane forest habitat...