A small colorful bird that looks 90% similar to the common Tickell's blue flycatcher, but is very uncommon and reported rare in our region. The only differentiation is the throat color which is dark blue for this bird, orange for the Tickell's. The calls too are almost similar between the birds.
I had this view that bird is a migrant from Northern India, Pakistan / Himalayan ranges and migrates to South India during winters. But I suspect there is a resident population in the state in the forests in the northern parts where we can see during summer. I don't remember anyone sighting a nest yet, if that is sighted, it would confirm that it a resident.
This flycatcher is found in thick wooded regions and forests and tends stick to thick canopy areas and dense undergrowth near wet areas. We sighted this in a forest on the side of a hill overlooking a temple. There was a broken water pipe that had small drops rolling down the slope into the undergrowth. And that place had like 5-6 flycatchers and around 15+ birds in total - all close to the ground. The water pooled and stagnated resulting in a lot of flies / insects and thats what attracted the flycatchers I suppose.
Many thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.
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