Palawan blue flycatcher

Palawan blue flycatcher
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Genus:	Cyornis
Species:	C. lemprieri
Binomial name
Cyornis lemprieri (Sharpe, 1884)

The Palawan blue flycatcher (Cyornis lemprieri) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on Palawan and its surrounding islands.

Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest on Palawan and neighboring islands. Relatively large for a flycatcher, with a white belly and an orange throat and chest. Male has blue upperparts, a blackish face and edge of the wing, and a pale blue eyebrow and forecrown. Female has a gray head with a broken white eye-ring, brown wings, and a rufous tail. Similar to Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher, but male Palawan has paler blue upperparts and a paler orange chest. Song consists of pleasant, tinkling phrases of five or so metallic notes, each one slightly different.."

It has been observed feeding on invertebrates but otherwise diet is largely unknown. It is often seen foraging alone or in pairs foraging in the understorey.

Habitat and conservation status

The species inhabits tropical moist lowland primary forest and secondary forest up to 1,000 meters above sea level.

It is assesed as near threatened under the IUCN with populations believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss and deforestation. The whole of Palawan was designated as a Biosphere Reserve; however, protection and enforcement of laws has been difficult and these threats still continue. It occurs in just one protected area in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.