Small niltava male, Bhutan

Small niltava male, Bhutan

Small niltava male, Bhutan

The small niltava (Niltava macgrigoriae) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae, native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. 11–14 cm; 11–13 g. Small niltava, a smaller version (about half-size) of N. grandis. Male nominate race has bright pale blue forehead reaching to eye. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. More specifically the Edges and clearings in humid submontane and montane broadleaf evergreen forest.

Diet small invertebrates, including flies (Diptera), and some fruit, e.g. berries. Solitary or in pairs. Fairly shy and inconspicuous. HResident and short-distance altitudinal migrant. Locally, makes post-breeding descent to lower altitude. Not globally threatened. Fairly common or common in Himalayas, and fairly common in China. Uncommon in NW Thailand; uncommon or fairly common in N & E Myanmar. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.

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