Rufous-bellied Niltava

From Soumitra Biswas

Rufous-bellied Niltava 💙💛

One of the most stunning flycatchers of the Himalayan foothills. This Rufous-bellied Niltava briefly appeared in the middle levels of the forest in Latpanchar, giving just enough time for a few frames before disappearing back into the foliage.

Like most niltavas, the contrast between the sexes is striking. The male glows in brilliant blue with a rich orange belly, while the female is much subtler in warm brown tones with a pale throat and a small blue crescent on the neck.

Usually found in the middle and upper layers of broadleaf and mixed hill forests, they often move quietly with mixed-species feeding flocks, occasionally darting out after insects before returning to cover. Their series of high, metallic whistles often echo through the forest long before the bird is actually seen.

Sony A7V + Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Latpanchar, Darjeeling, West Bengal

March 2026

Image of female from Wikipedia: