Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)

The Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea), also known as the Black-naped Blue Monarch, is a small passerine bird.

The Black-naped Monarch breeds across tropical southern Asia from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the malaysia. This species is usually found in thick forests and other well-wooded habitats. Three eggs are laid in a small cup nest in a tree.

The adult male Black-naped Monarch is about 16 cm long, and is mainly pale blue apart from a whitish lower belly. It has a black nape and a neat black gorget. The female is duller and lacks the black markings. Her wings and back are grey-brown. Males of the Sri Lankan race H. a. ceylonensis lack the black nape and gorget.

The Black-naped Monarch has short legs and sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. It is insectivorous, often hunting by flycatching.

Two Indonesian subspecies, blasii and puella, are sometimes split as the Pale-blue Monarch, Hypothymis puella.

NOTE: One thing about this bird reminded me somewhere in bukit rengit i almost hit him...... (lifer on my hand ...hehehhehehe) .. managed to rescue him ... tq to all birders (especially Aun Tiah) on that day.