Habitat of the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher

The White-bellied Blue Flycatcher is found in the low, thick understory of evergreen forests throughout the Western Ghats. In the northern part of the Western Ghats, it is primarily associated with dense evergreen woodland and areas along the margins of forest streams. In the southern Western Ghats, the species occurs in evergreen and shola forests, as well as on hillside patches where Strobilanthes species from the Acanthaceae family are abundant. The bird appears to avoid areas of recently regenerating forest.

Preferred Vegetation and Forest Structure

Research conducted by M. Shah in the northern Western Ghats found that the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher tends to occupy areas dominated by Dimocarpus longan of the Sapindaceae family, Memecylon umbellatum of the Melastomataceae family, and Syzygium cumini of the Myrtaceae family. These habitats generally contain a thick and diverse understory made up of taller shrubs and young tree seedlings.

The birds primarily use mature, old-growth forest for feeding and roosting. Such forests are characterized by high tree diversity and substantial numbers of both smaller and larger trees. The forest floor is typically covered by leaf litter across approximately 80% of the ground, with an average litter depth of about 0.70 centimetres.

Importance of Water and Canopy Cover

The presence of a permanent water source appears to be one of the most significant factors influencing habitat selection by the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher. Areas located close to perennial water are more likely to provide suitable conditions for the species.

The flycatcher also tends to avoid habitats with an open canopy. Instead, it shows a preference for mature forest where canopy coverage exceeds approximately 70%. Dense overhead vegetation, a well-developed understory and access to reliable water sources therefore appear to be key characteristics of its preferred habitat in the Western Ghats.