Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
Cyornis omissus
A colorful blue-and-orange flycatcher. Entirely dark blue above and orange below, including most of throat. Pairs and singles inhabit understory of forest, edges, and patches from lowlands to mountains, although scarce in mountains. Differs from Rufous-throated and Snowy-browed Flycatchers in the orange belly, and from male Blue-fronted Blue Flycatcher in the largely orange throat. Female’s blue back separates her from female Blue-fronted Blue Flycatcher. Warbling song starts with high-pitched rising notes before descending into a short, lower-pitched warble. Also gives metallic “tchak” notes.
Identification
The Sulawesi blue flycatcher (Cyornis omissus) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Four subspecies are recognised: C. o. omissus (Hartert, EJO, 1896) – montane Sulawesi C. o. omississimus Rheindt, Prawiradilaga, Ashari & Suparno & Gwee, 2020 – Togian Islands (between northeast and central east Sulawesi) C. o. peromissus Hartert, EJO, 1920 – Salayar (south of Sulawesi) C. o. djampeanus (Hartert, EJO, 1896) – Tanahjampea (south of Sulawesi) The subspecies C. o. djampeanus is sometimes recognised as a separate species, the Tanahjampea blue flycatcher.
Taxonomy
Genus: Cyornis; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Cyornis omissus
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1896)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Cyornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Lesser Ground-Robin
Amalocichla incerta
A fairly small, long-legged bird of montane forest floor. Brown above with rufous edges to the flight feathers, buffy chest, white throat, and white spot behind the bill. Same general shape and habits as the Greater Ground-Robin, but Lesser occurs at lower elevations and is much smaller. Heard more often than seen. Song, a series of whistled notes, either rising, falling or the same pitch.
Santa Marta Screech-Owl
Megascops gilesi
Small owl restricted to cloud forest in Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. Plumage is almost identical to that of Tropical Screech-Owl, with which it was confused until differences in voice were noted. Color is variable and ranges from dull brown to rusty. Typical song is a rapid series of soft notes that rises and then falls in pitch; it is much longer and steadier than the song of Tropical Screech-Owl, which is found in lower and drier parts of the mountains. Regularly encountered in and around El Dorado Nature Reserve.
Galapagos Martin
Progne modesta
Large, very dark swallow endemic to Galápagos. Male is entirely deep bluish black. Female and juvenile are mostly brown with a bluish tinge to upperparts. In flight, note triangular wingtips and notched tail. Very similar to Purple Martin, which is a rare and erratic visitor (most records are from October to January). Male Galápagos Martin is smaller but otherwise looks almost identical; female is uniform brown below, lacking a pale belly. Uncommon and endangered, with a population estimated at less than 1000 birds. Usually encountered in pairs or very small groups circling overhead as they hunt insects.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.