Hello, everyone! Welcoming the summer, the Blue-and-White Flycatcher is a familiar bird in the forests and woodlands of Japan. This is the season when its stunning azure feathers beautifully contrast against the verdant landscapes. Today, let’s delve into the world of the Blue-and-White Flycatcher!
The Blue-and-White Flycatcher is about 16 cm long, slightly larger than a sparrow. Adult males boast a dazzling deep blue on their back extending to their tail. Their faces and throats are boldly black, and a charming white spot adorns the base of their tail. Their bellies are a clean white. Females, on the other hand, have a subdued brownish color scheme with soft white throats and bellies, and a comforting hue on their chests and flanks that includes some brown.
Juvenile males initially have brownish feathers similar to females before transitioning to the striking blue of adults over 2-3 years. The gradual appearance of blue feathers is a magical transformation showcasing nature’s wonders.
Their diet consists primarily of insects. They engage in “flycatching,” where they dart from branches to catch insects in midair and return to the same spot. This behavior is a typical sight in their natural habitat. They also eat larvae, spiders, and fruits.
The Blue-and-White Flycatcher is also renowned for its beautiful song, ranked among the “Top Three Singing Birds” of Japan. Its clear calls of “piy-chee-ree zit, pe-lee-lee, peel-ri peel-ri chichin” are especially prominent during the breeding season when males sing powerfully atop tree branches, becoming a quintessential symbol of summer.
Many Blue-and-White Flycatchers leave Japan in the fall to travel to Southeast Asia, spending the winter in warmer climates. They return to Japan the following spring to grace us with their beauty once again. This bird teaches us about the changing seasons. This summer, if you spot a bird with shimmering azure feathers, it might be the perfect opportunity to listen to the song of the Blue-and-White Flycatcher. Until next time!
