White-bellied Blue Flycatcher

An exclusive resident of the western Ghats, the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher ( Cyornis pallipes ) has a striking blue colour. The upper two photograph, are of the female, the lower two the colourful male. The female has a bright red patch on the breast, and probably the brightest among the female flycatchers. Like the name suggests and like other flycatchers the bird chiefly eats insects. Although compared to other flycatcher this is much laid back bird. Quite a delightful bird to photograph. 

Black- Naped Monarch

When I spotted an azure flying bird, at Ganeshgudi , I was pretty sure it was the Black naped Monarch Flycatcher (Hypothymis azurea )- its azure blue lighting up the sky. The black ring like feature on the neck looked velvety. It was a pleasure watching the bird, carry out sorties from its perch, catching flying insects.
In the first photograph, the flycatcher had just taken a dip, and hence looks all ruffled up. Later on its all dried, groomed and ready for a date. 

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher

Met this Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae) outside Ranganatittu in Mysore, it was sitting under the shade of a tree and light was a bit poor. I increased the ISO to 800 to get a faster shutter speed.
(You can see the slight specked noise, especially on the green background because of this high ISO)
The bird belongs to the flycatcher family and like its cousins feeds on insects ,flies and gnats.
The bird is found throughout India and loves Bamboo vegetation and light forests. Generally found sitting upright on Low twigs or stems.
As evident the bird is dark blue, with a Reddish breast and rest of the lower part white. The bird could be mistaken for the Blue throated Flycatcher.
The bird also has an unusual character; if you come close to the bird when strolling around it will not fly away, instead will give bursts of its song, as if challenging an intruder, if you come much closer it will then fly away and not come anywhere near sight.
Camera: Sony A350 , 200mm , ISO800, f/5.6,

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

This female Asian Paradise Flycatcher ( Terpsiphone paradisi) landed on my ship when we were about 100 kms south of Pakistan heading towards India. The male has got a long tail streamer and very pretty to look at.I did not spot the male bird and probably feel one must have drifted on our ship somehow during migration. The bird flew off after spending about 4-5 hours on board.