Verditer Flycatcher

Verditer Flycatcher

The Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina) is a small, colorful bird that belongs to the Old World Flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is known for its striking blue-grey upperparts and whitish underparts, which make it a popular bird among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The bird is typically 12 cm in length and weighs around 10g, with a short tail and broad wings. Its bill is black and its feet are yellowish. The bird's call is a sharp chur-weet, which can often be heard in open woodlands and scrub habitats near water. The Verditer Flycatcher is mainly insectivorous, catching prey from foliage or in mid-air. It feeds on a variety of insects, including flies, beetles, and moths. The bird is also known to occasionally feed on small fruits and berries. Breeding takes place between the months of April and August, with the female building the nest, which is usually a cup-shaped structure made from grass and leaves. The Verditer Flycatcher is found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It typically inhabits open woodlands and scrub habitats, often near water. The bird is known to be a resident breeder in some parts of its range, while in other areas it is a winter visitor or passage migrant. Overall, the Verditer Flycatcher is a charming and colorful bird that is admired for its striking appearance and melodious call. Its ability to catch insects in mid-air and its preference for open woodlands and scrub habitats make it an important part of the ecosystem in its range.

Verditer Flycatcher, Old World Flycatcher, Muscicapidae, blue-grey, insectivorous

— Mark Nelson