Tarsiger rufilatus
The Himalayan Bluetail, *Tarsiger rufilatus*, is a dazzling yet elusive member of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), renowned for its vibrant sexual dimorphism. Males are stunning, sporting an intense deep blue plumage over most of their body, contrasted sharply by prominent white supercilia and distinctive rufous-orange flanks that give the species its name; they typically measure around 13-15 cm in length and weigh 12-18 grams. Females, in contrast, exhibit a more subdued olive...
This species inhabits dense undergrowth of high-altitude coniferous and mixed rhododendron forests, often near streams, thriving at elevations typically between 2,500 and 4,800 meters during the breeding season.
Its diet primarily consists of small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, supplemented by a small amount of berries, especially outside the breeding season. Foraging occurs mainly by gleaning from the ground and low shrubs, with occasional aerial flycatching.
The Himalayan Bluetail is a shy and largely solitary bird, preferring to skulk within the dense undergrowth and rarely venturing into the open. It forages primarily by gleaning small invertebrates from the ground and low vegetation, occasionally making short, agile sallies to catch flying insects...
The Himalayan Bluetail boasts an extensive breeding range across the central and eastern Himalayas, stretching from northern India (Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh) through Nepal and Bhutan, eastward into China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai, Gansu) and northern Myanmar. During the breeding sea...
Least Concern
- The "bluetail" in its name refers to the male's striking blue plumage, though its most distinctive feature might be its rufous flanks. - Despite its vivid colors, it is notoriously difficult to observe, preferring to remain hidden in dense forest undergrowth. - It is an altitudinal migrant, mov...