Large Niltava Niltava grandis Scientific name definitions

20–22 cm; 25–40 g. Large forest flycatcher, the largest Asian flycatcher, stocky and fairly sluggish, with dark blue (male ) or dark olive-brown (female) plumage. Male nominate race is almost entirely dark blue or blackish-blue (appearing black in poor light), with bluer crown, neck-side patch, lesser upperwing-coverts and rump ; flight-feathers mostly black, narrowly edged indigo-blue, tail black, with violet-blue outer webs of outer rectrices; face and slightly raised band on lower forehead black; underparts mostly purplish-blue; iris dark brown; bill black; legs brownish-black to lead-grey or purplish-grey. Female has dark olive-brown crown and upperparts, crown streaked bluish-grey (may show slight crest), rufous edges of upperwing-coverts, flight-feathers and rump and tail, rufous-buff forehead and lores, brown face finely streaked pale buff, small brilliant pale blue patch on side of neck, throat buffish (well demarcated by darker sides), underparts mostly dull olive-brown, streaked paler or buffish, and rich buff on flanks and undertail-coverts; distinguished from similar female N. sundara by streaks on face and underparts, duller brown underparts (not whitish on belly), buff throat (instead of well-defined white lower throat); from female N. davidi by larger size, buff throat, darker underparts, no white patch on lower throat; from female N. vivida by blue neck patch, and rufous-brown (not greyish), upperparts, including edges of wing and tail. Juvenile has head and upperparts deep rufous-brown, flecked or spotted with paler rufous-buff, wings and tail as adult but with pale rufous-buff tips of median and greater coverts, deep rufous-brown below (brightest rufous on breast), with darker brown fringes forming bars or scalloping. Races vary mostly in extent of blue on crown, nape and neck side and intensity of upperpart coloration of adult females: griseiventris is like nominate, but has less blue on upper belly and greyer lower belly, blacker flight-feathers with less blue edges, immature has brown undertail-coverts; <em>decorata</em> has larger and darker blue neck patch than nominate, and crown to nape bright deep blue, upperparts warmer brown; <em>decipiens</em> is similar to previous, but with darker bluish-slate crown to nape.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Food items include small to medium-sized invertebrates, and berries; large crickets (Orthoptera) and small snakes also taken. Usually solitary or in pairs; tame and approachable. Sluggish, often spends long periods inactively on perch, may become active towards dusk. Forages in undergrowth to middle level of forest trees, often in darkest interior of forest, along trails or near streams; also perches in the open on powerlines. Occasionally pursues insects in flight, but generally less agile in flight than are most flycatchers and often catches prey close to ground; large items may be eaten on the ground. Occasionally flicks wings and tail and fans tail when alarmed.

Song a simple sequence of 3 or 4 soft, rising, melancholy whistles, “uu-uu-du-di”, or “do ray, ray me” or a more drawn-out “fu fay fe-fi”, repeated slowly and at intervals for up to 15 minutes; also a soft or unobtrusive “chu-ii” or “dju-ee”, second note higher. Alarm calls include a loud “trrr’k trrr’k” or “chek-chek” and a harsh rattle.