Cyornis magnirostris
The Large Blue Flycatcher, *Cyornis magnirostris*, is an enchanting songbird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), primarily resident in the evergreen forests of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of mainland Southeast Asia. Males are instantly recognizable by their brilliant, deep blue plumage covering the head, upperparts, and throat, which sharply contrasts with rich rufous-orange flanks and a pristine white belly. A distinguishing field mark is its relativel...
Inhabits broadleaf evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, often preferring damp, shaded undergrowth near streams or ravines, typically from lowlands up to elevations of about 1,800 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of flying insects such as flies, beetles, and moths, which it catches by sallying from perches or gleaning from foliage.
The Large Blue Flycatcher is generally a solitary and somewhat shy bird, often observed perching quietly in the mid-canopy or undergrowth before darting out to snatch insects. Its primary foraging strategy involves sallying, where it makes short, agile flights from a perch to catch flying insects...
The Large Blue Flycatcher is primarily found as a resident species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, where it is widely distributed across the archipelago. Its range also extends to parts of Southeast Asia, specifically the Chin Hills of western Myanmar, and potentially isolated populati...
Least Concern
- The species name "magnirostris" directly translates from Latin to "large-billed," referencing its distinctively robust bill compared to other *Cyornis* flycatchers. - For a long time, it was considered a subspecies of the Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher (*Cyornis rubeculoides*) but was elevated t...