30 March 2026 Last Updated: 30 March 2026

A Day in Blue with Mr. Dabadee-dabadaa

Forest lessons from a Sri Lankan Black-naped Monarch

Hello, hello! Took you a while to notice me, didn’t it? Don’t worry, it happens all the time. Everyone’s looking for something louder, brighter, more dramatic. And then there’s me… just a calm wash of blue on a branch. Although some would say, the blue in the midst of green would be easy to spot… hmmm, anyways, come a little closer, but not too much. I do appreciate a bit of personal space. Now, take a good look… you’ll notice something interesting if you’ve seen my relatives elsewhere. No black necklace here.

No bold markings around the neck, even though we’re known as Black-naped Monarchs! We Sri Lankans prefer a cleaner look. Softer. Simpler. Elegant, if I may say so myself. Oooh, hang on! Watch this. A quick flick, a blur of blue, and he’s back again. Did you see that? Probably not. That was my lunch flying past. In my belly now! We call it flycatching. Short flights, sharp timing, no wasted effort. You humans like to complicate things. We prefer efficiency. But, even with all that prowess, I must confess, I don’t work alone. See that movement in the trees? That’s the gang. Drongos, babblers, and a few others. We move together, feed together, keep each other informed. More eyes means fewer surprises. And more chances to eat. It’s a very practical arrangement.

Fun Facts

Now, I can see this lifestyle might sound very attractive to you, so if you’re thinking of settling down in the forest, you might want to take some notes. When you find a good mate, it’s time to think of the future. That means building a beautiful and secure home for the babies. We build neat little cup nests which are tucked nicely into a fork in a tree and nicely decorated. Not too obvious, not too hidden. Balance is everything you see. By the way, you should see the nests… gorgeous and practical too! Decorated with spider-egg cases for that extra touch. Quite eggs-otic don’t you think? Haha see what I did there? My partner handles most of the construction. I handle security. Very important role. And once the eggs arrive, we both get busy. Feeding, guarding, raising the next generation. No shortcuts there. So, to recap on life in the forest, you don’t need to be the loudest to be noticed, you don’t need elaborate markings to stand out, and sometimes, a simple shade of blue is more than enough. And most importantly, slow down. You nearly missed me, remember? Now then, I believe I see another delicious insect zipping along… goodbye!

Story of the Photo

While staying at the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala, Gavin David happened to spot this dapper blue gentleman perched just long enough for a photograph. Of course, true to form, the monarch didn’t linger. One quick glance, a soft flick into the air, and he was off on more important business, leaving behind nothing but a hint of blue and a very satisfied photographer