Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 2492480

Pygmy Flycatcher

Muscicapella hodgsoni

Also known as Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, Hodgson's Pygmy Flycatcher

Pygmy flycatchers rank among the tiniest passerines in Asian cloud forests, flitting through moss-draped branches with rapid, restless darting motions. Males sport a vibrant cobalt mantle with an apricot breast, while olive-brown females blend seamlessly into the lichen and leaf litter of the subcanopy. Pairs routinely join wandering mixed-species foraging flocks, broadcasting their presence with high-pitched, insect-like trills as they snatch minute prey midair.

MontaneSongbirdInsectivorous
Pygmy Flycatcher reference
Licensed referenceJoseph Wolf (January 22, 1820 - April 20, 1899) / Public domain · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Midges
  • Bark lice
  • Orb-weaver spiderlings
Predators
  • Collared owlet
  • Besra
  • Mountain pit viper
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, agricultural clearing, and upland timber harvesting
HabitatsMoist broadleaf montane forests, hill evergreen woods, and mossy cloud forests
Life span3–6 years
Classification
  1. FamilyMuscicapidae
  2. SpeciesMuscicapella hodgsoni
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Listen carefully: Detect their presence by scanning for thin, high-frequency chirps in dense upper foliage.
  • Follow mixed flocks: Watch roving montane foraging flocks to catch fleeting views as birds cross gaps.
  • Use binoculars: Keep optics focused on mossy epiphytes where these miniature birds glean insects.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…