An Ultramarine Flycatcher active in the morning
A small bird - hard to sight, but loved by bird photographers for its beauty and color. About 10 cms long, weighing around 10g, this is a winter migrant from the Himalayan forests to South India. It makes a 1500 km journey every year one way from north to South over a month to escape the cold Himalayan winters
This is a mature male based on the plumage and pale blue color of the head. A mature adult has ultramarine blue color on the head and wings. He was all over the place singing, jumping and often chasing a Taiga Flycatcher from tree to tree in the foggy morning and was a delight to watch.
The species is named after the male's "Ultramarine" color - a deep blue color which literally means beyond the seas (the color was imported into Europe beyond the seas from Asia).
I remember an interesting incident once where I met a stranger in a birding spot when we sighted this bird. He was curious to understand why we were after this bird. When I explained to him that this comes from the Himalayas and that it migrated 1500 kms, he was incredulous. And then I showed him the Taiga flycatcher and shared that it migrated 3000-4000 kms. At that point he became visibly angry. He thought I was making a fool of him on what he thought was a joke and walked away in a huff! I myself couldn't believe that info when I first heard about that from another birder!
Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.
An Ultramarine Flycatcher active in the morning
A small bird - hard to sight, but loved by bird photographers for its beauty and color. About 10 cms long, weighing around 10g, this is a winter migrant from the Himalayan forests to South India. It makes a 1500 km journey every year one way from north to South over a month to escape the cold Himalayan winters
This is a mature male based on the plumage and pale blue color of the head. A mature adult has ultramarine blue color on the head and wings. He was all over the place singing, jumping and often chasing a Taiga Flycatcher from tree to tree in the foggy morning and was a delight to watch.
The species is named after the male's "Ultramarine" color - a deep blue color which literally means beyond the seas (the color was imported into Europe beyond the seas from Asia).
I remember an interesting incident once where I met a stranger in a birding spot when we sighted this bird. He was curious to understand why we were after this bird. When I explained to him that this comes from the Himalayas and that it migrated 1500 kms, he was incredulous. And then I showed him the Taiga flycatcher and shared that it migrated 3000-4000 kms. At that point he became visibly angry. He thought I was making a fool of him on what he thought was a joke and walked away in a huff! I myself couldn't believe that info when I first heard about that from another birder!
Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.