East African forests and woodlands are home to the little, distinctive White-tailed Blue Flycatcher (Elminia albicauda). Its bright blue plumage and white tail feathers make this flycatcher easy to spot. Both males and females have vivid blue upperparts, paler underparts, and a white-tipped tail.

This lively and nimble species flutters between trees in quest of insects, its main meal. The White-tailed Blue Flycatcher darts and hovers to catch prey on its wings. While its small size and fast movements make it hard to identify in dense foliage, its unique color and lively activity typically do.

The White-tailed Blue Flycatcher likes montane forests and forest margins at 1,500–3,000 meters. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are home to this bird in primary and secondary forests. Usually alone or in couples, the bird may join mixed-species feeding congregations.

The White-tailed Blue Flycatcher is threatened by deforestation and human encroachment despite its widespread distribution. This species and others depend on East African forests, which are protected by conservation efforts. In the region’s avian population, the White-tailed Blue Flycatcher is prized for its beauty and grace.