English: The black-naped monarch, also known as the black-naped blue flycatcher (Hypothymis azurea), is a slender and nimble passerine bird belonging to the monarch flycatcher family, primarily found in southern and southeastern Asia. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the male boasts a distinctive black patch on the back of the head and a narrow black half-collar, while the female appears duller with olive-brown wings and lacks the black markings on the head.

With a call resembling that of the Asian paradise flycatcher, these birds are often spotted in tropical forest habitats, where pairs may join mixed-species foraging flocks. Populations vary slightly in plumage color and size.

The beautiful azure-blue male displays a striking black nape patch and a slender black gorget, while the female lacks these markings, featuring gray-brown wings and bright blue coloring only on the head. Both sexes exhibit black feathers on top of the bill and grayish-white underparts. Found in both dry and wet forested areas, ranging from sea level up into foothills, they employ a hawk-like technique in mid-air to capture prey. Frequently observed joining mixed flocks, their song is described as a bland, unremarkable “wi-wi-wi-wi-wi-wi-wi,” with calls including a harsh nasal “wheh” and an explosive “whi-cheh!”

Recently, sighting of this elegant bird was photographed at the Buxa Tiger Reserve & National Park in West Bengal, India.