Least Concern

A small, compact flycatcher about 12–13 cm in length. It has a bright orange underbody, black head and face, and rufous-brown upperparts; the short tail and rounded wings give it a stubby appearance.

Resident species, endemic to the southern Western Ghats of India.

— (Non-migratory)

Mainly March to June. Builds a moss-lined cup nest placed close to the ground on a bank, root, or among ferns.

Montane shola forests and adjacent grasslands in the higher elevations (above 1,200 m) of the Western Ghats.

Prefers evergreen montane forests, forest edges, and shaded ravines, often seen flitting close to the ground or low shrubs.

Feeds mostly on insects and small arthropods, which it captures by sallying from low perches or gleaning from foliage and ground litter.