Zappey's Flycatcher
Cyanoptila cumatilis
白腹暗蓝鹟
Introduction
Zappey's flycatcher is a species in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It was recently distinguished as a separate species from the blue-and-white flycatcher through genetic and morphological studies. This species breeds in central China and winters in Southeast Asia. Like other flycatchers, it forages by sallying from perches to capture flying insects.
Identification
Formerly considered conspecific with the blue-and-white flycatcher, this species can be distinguished from its close relative by subtle differences in plumage coloration and wing measurements. The two species were separated based on genetic analysis and morphological differences, highlighting the importance of detailed study in distinguishing similar-looking flycatcher species in the field.
Distribution & Habitat
This species breeds in central China, where it inhabits forested habitats during the summer months. With the onset of winter, it migrates southward to the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. The migration route takes it through typical flycatcher habitat types, including woodland edges and forest clearings where it can forage for insects.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Cyanoptila
- eBird Code
- zapfly1
Distribution
breeds central China (Shaanxi eastward to Beijing, and southward to northwestern Hubei); winter range very poorly known, but recorded southward to the Thai-Malay Peninsula
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.