Flycatcher NestBox

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It has two subspecies: H. s. smithii, which occurs throughout Africa, and H. s. filifera, which is found in southern and southeastern Asia. It is mainly resident, but populations in Pakistan and northern India migrate further south in winter. This bird is found in open country near water and human habitation. Wire-tailed swallows are fast flyers and they generally feed on insects, especially flies, while airborne. They are typically seen low over water, with which they are more closely associated than most swallows.

Tickell’s blue flycatcher is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family. This is an insectivorous species which breeds in tropical Asia, from the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to Southeast Asia. Its range stretches across all the countries from India to Indonesia. They are blue on the upperparts and the throat and breast are rufous. They are found in dense scrub to forest habitats. The male’s upper parts are bright blue, its throat and breast are red, and the rest of the under parts are white. The female is duller blue with a brighter blue brow, shoulder, rump, and tail. Tickell’s blue flycatcher breeds in dry forest, scrub, bamboo and gardens. The breeding season is April to August (March to June in Sri Lanka). It nests in a hole in a tree or amongst rocks that is lined with fine grass and fibers and lay 3–5 eggs.

Nest Box Location– Mount on a tree, post, fence or wall, ideally about 5 and 6 feet high with partial sun and shade, Position nest far enough from roads, paths or trails to minimize disturbance.

Birds That Nest In This Birdhouse – Great Crested Flycatchers, House Sparrows, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmice, Wrens, Tree and Violet Green Swallows.