Brown-breasted Flycatcher
Muscicapa muttui
Dull but rather cute flycatcher, with large white-framed eyes. Dark brown above and white below with a gray head, brown flanks, and two distinct dark “moustache” lines. Similar in general structure and patterning to Asian Brown Flycatcher, but Asian Brown’s migratory form is much grayer and lighter-colored, with weaker “moustache” stripes and less of a brown wash on the flanks, as well as weaker contrast between the head and back. Brown-breasted breeds in mid- to high-elevation broadleaf forests and winters in lowlands and foothills. Exhibits typical flycatching behavior, swooping out from a perch in the middle to lower levels of forest. Song is quiet and simple, a phrase of brief whistles.
Identification
The brown-breasted flycatcher is 13–14 cm in length and weighs between 10-14 g. The overall colour of the upper parts is olive brown. Some of the feather shafts are darker. The upper tail coverts are brighter rufous as are the edges of the flight feathers. The tail feathers have rufous on the outer webs. The lores are pale and the eye ring is conspicuous. The chin and throat are white while the breast and sides of the body are pale brown. The middle of the body to the vent is buffy white. Submoustachial stripes are faint but mark the boundary of the pale chin while the legs and lower mandible are pale flesh coloured. The most similar species is the Asian brown flycatcher, which has black rather than pale legs. It was named by Layard after Muttu, his servant who brought him the specimen.<p>Although no ringing evidence exists to prove their migration, it is thought that the winter migrants in southern India and Sri Lanka come from north-east India and northern Thailand. A subspecies stötzneri (incorrectly spelt as stotmani by E C Stuart Baker) described from Szechwan by Hugo Weigold in 1922 appears to fall within the range of visible geographic variations and is not usually recognized.<p>The usual call is very faint tseet audible only at close range or a series of notes chi-chi-chi-chi ending with a low chit-chit.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Muscicapa muttui
- Authority
- (Layard, EL, 1854)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Muscicapa
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- OR : ne India to nw Thailand
- Non-breeding range
- sw India and Sri Lanka
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Coqui Francolin
Campocolinus coqui
Small, beautifully-patterned francolin. Males have a rufous head, while females have an elaborately-striped head, and both sexes show dark barring on the belly. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, ranging from pure grassland to lush woodland. A generally shy and retiring species that sometimes sits out boldly when calling. Gives two distinctive calls: a repeated “co-qui” and a short series of cackling notes. Smaller than most other francolins, and bigger than quail and buttonquail. Its plumage pattern is distinctive when seen well.
Papuan Mountain-Pigeon
Gymnophaps albertisii
A distinctive large, long-tailed flocking pigeon. Note the conspicuous red skin around the eye, as well as the pale tail tip, cream breast, dark belly, and blue-gray upperparts, head and throat. Juveniles show a rufous forehead and brown chest. Gregarious, often seen in high-flying flocks above the forest canopy. Principally found in the mountains and foothills, but also in lowlands. Flocking behavior, extensive red facial skin, pale tip to tail, and cream color on breast distinguish this species from Metallic Pigeon. Generally quiet, but sometimes utters a deep “woooom” and a tremulous whistle.
Short-legged Ground-Roller
Brachypteracias leptosomus
Chunky, elaborately patterned, remarkably short-legged bird. White tail corners are conspicuous in flight. Elusive and uncommon; unlikely to be seen by those not searching for it. Found at low and middle elevations in eastern rainforest. Unlike all the other ground-rollers, spends most of its time in trees, sometimes high in the canopy. Song is a high, short “boop” note that is repeated many times.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.