The blue flycatcher, also known as the flowerpecker, is a bird species belonging to the finch family. It is most commonly seen during the rice harvest season and is beneficial for agriculture as its primary food source is insects. The blue flycatcher is also recognized as one of the popular pet birds today.
- Common name: blue flycatcher
- Other names: flowerpecker
- Scientific classification: Dicaeidae
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Weight: 5.7 – 12 g
- Size: 10 – 18 cm
Average lifespan: not determined
Characteristics and Behavior of the Blue Flycatcher
The blue flycatcher is very agile and flexible.
- The blue flycatcher has a plump body with a short neck, tail, and legs.
- It has round, soulful eyes; a short, curved, thick beak; and a long, tubular tongue.
- Its feathers are long, thick, shiny, and not tangled, typically dull-colored with a distinct green hue. However, some male blue flycatchers have bright red or glossy black plumage.
- The blue flycatcher has a unique digestive system evolved to effectively digest various types of berries.
- It is very agile, moving quickly and flexibly from branch to branch.
- The blue flycatcher sings beautifully with a clear, high-pitched voice, capable of continuous singing, even while hopping between branches.
Distinguishing Male and Female Blue Flycatchers
Male blue flycatchers have two longer tail feathers compared to others.
Male and female blue flycatchers have quite similar appearances, making it challenging for those with little experience in keeping and caring for pet birds to distinguish their sex, especially during molting (the period when the blue flycatcher is completing its feather development). However, if interested, you can refer to the following distinguishing features between male and female blue flycatchers:
- Chest feather edging: male blue flycatchers have a deep black color, while female blue flycatchers have lighter-colored edging.
- Male blue flycatchers have two longer tail feathers, known as tail feathers, while females do not have this characteristic.
Diet of the Blue Flycatcher
The primary diet of the blue flycatcher consists of caterpillars. Additionally, they can also sip nectar from flowers, eat berries, young grasshoppers, spiders, and insects. In captivity, blue flycatchers can also consume ant eggs or specialized bird feed commonly sold in pet stores or supermarkets.
Proper Care for Blue Flycatchers
- Blue flycatchers should be kept in bamboo cages with appropriate spacing and height. Inside the cage, there should be a food tray (for ant eggs or feed), a tray for dried caterpillars, and a water tray. Caregivers need to regularly replenish food and water to prevent the birds from becoming weak from hunger. Additionally, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness of the cage and food trays, changing the water as needed.
- When starting to raise young blue flycatchers, caregivers must spend time hand-feeding them. The best food for blue flycatchers at this stage is young grasshoppers.
- If raising blue flycatchers caught in the wild, caregivers should cover the cage with a cloth, leaving only a small opening for about two days to allow the birds to adapt to captivity (as they can be quite skittish) before gradually opening the cover completely when they are accustomed. During this time, caregivers must ensure a sufficient supply of food and water for the birds.
- When raising breeding blue flycatchers, caregivers need to pay attention to where to place the cage and how to cover it, as they can be very sensitive and may flutter around if scared. During this stage, the cage should be completely covered, leaving only the door open for daily food and water changes. Additionally, a small basket with straw should be provided in the cage for nesting and laying eggs; the cage should be placed in a sheltered location, ideally surrounded by trees.
- Caregivers should also regularly interact with blue flycatchers so they do not become shy.
Reproductive Behavior of Blue Flycatchers
The nests of blue flycatchers are usually pouch-shaped.
Blue flycatchers typically form monogamous pairs to build nests and reproduce. Their nests are usually pouch-shaped, made from plant fibers hanging on small branches or bushes. Blue flycatchers lay eggs, usually around 1 – 4 eggs at a time. The eggs hatch after about 10 – 12 days of incubation, and the newly hatched blue flycatcher chicks are very weak, unable to open their eyes or have feathers, but they will grow feathers and wings within 15 days.
More Interesting Facts
- Research findings indicate that blue flycatchers also have individuals that are sexually monomorphic, meaning their gender cannot be distinguished.
- They possess a tail similar to that of female blue flycatchers but have two very distinct dark edges, resembling the identifying features of male blue flycatchers.
