Dull-blue Flycatcher Eumyias sordidus Scientific name definitions

14–15 cm. Medium-sized, broad-billed, all-blue flycatcher, bill hooked at tip. Adult has bright azure-blue forehead to crown side, broad black line from lores and chin to eye bordered below by cobalt-blue on cheek to side of throat; rest of head and upperparts, including upperwing and tail, grey-blue, edges of tertials and inner secondaries brighter blue; throat and breast to upper flanks pale blue, becoming whiter on belly to undertail-coverts; iris dark; bill and legs black or dark plumbeous. Sexes similar, female slightly duller than male. Juvenile is dark brown above, with extensive buff spots and black fringes or scalloping on head to mantle and back, buffish throat and breast barred or scalloped darker, tail and wings edged bluish, with buffish tips of median and greater coverts.

Highlands of C & SW Sri Lanka.

Forest edges, tracks and clearings, ravines and well-wooded areas, and large gardens, edges of plantations with shade trees, between 1220 m and 1830 m, occasionally to 2100 m; in non-breeding season occasionally down to c. 450 m in wetter lowlands.

Resident.

Food includes small invertebrates and larvae, particularly beetles (Coleoptera); also berries of Rubus, Lantana and other shrubs. Usually solitary or in pairs. Unobtrusive, but not shy or secretive; sluggish, spends long periods rather inactively. Forages low down in branches and undergrowth, but often from low exposed perch; also on ground among rocks and fallen trees.

Song a series of up to 8 clear warbling notes, often slightly downslurred (creating mournful effect); also a brief trill, short “chip” notes and rich notes in descending subsong. Most frequent call a series of 4 or 5 “chip” notes.

Season mid-Mar to Sept; two broods. Nest a cup of moss, plant fibres and leaves, placed 1–6 m from ground in hole in rock face, crevice in moss-covered bank, on ledge or on rock face, or in hole in branch or tree trunk. Clutch 2–3 eggs; no other information.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Sri Lanka EBA. Common, especially at higher altitudes; less common at middle and lower levels.