Eumyias hyacinthinus
The Timor Blue Flycatcher (Eumyias hyacinthinus) is a truly captivating passerine, adorned in a spectacular palette of deep blue. Measuring approximately 14-15 cm in length and weighing around 15-20 grams, this species exhibits striking cobalt blue plumage across its upperparts, contrasting with a clean white lower belly and vent. A distinctive black mask extends from the lores to the ear-coverts, providing a key field mark for identification. Females generally mirror the males in coloration ...
Found primarily in submontane and montane moist broadleaf evergreen forests, often near ravines or water sources. Typically inhabits elevations between 600m and 2,000m, occasionally descending to 300m.
Feeds predominantly on insects such as flies, beetles, and caterpillars, captured in flight or gleaned from vegetation. May occasionally supplement its diet with small berries.
This active, diurnal flycatcher often perches upright and sallies out from a vantage point to snatch insects in mid-air, a classic flycatcher foraging technique. It also employs gleaning, picking insects directly from foliage and branches within the dense understory. Timor Blue Flycatchers are us...
The Timor Blue Flycatcher is a resident endemic, exclusively found on the island of Timor. Its distribution spans both the independent nation of East Timor (Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste) and West Timor, which is part of Indonesia's Nusa Tenggara Timur province. This species is non-migratory...
Least Concern
- The Timor Blue Flycatcher is strictly endemic to the island of Timor, found nowhere else in the world. - Its scientific name, *hyacinthinus*, refers to its stunning, hyacinth-blue coloration. - Despite its vivid blue plumage, it can be surprisingly difficult to spot amidst the dappled light and...