Cryptic Flycatcher

Ficedula crypta

A small bird of foothill and low-elevation montane forest on Mindanao. Dark brown above with a rufous tail, a white belly, a pale gray chest, and a buffy face and throat. Forages low down or on the ground and may sit motionless for periods of time. Similar to female Little Slaty Flycatcher, but has a rufous tail, a brown throat, and black rather than orange legs. Gives a short descending trill.

Identification

EBird describes the bird as "A small bird. Dark brown above with a rufous tail, a white belly, a pale gray chest, and a buffy face and throat. Forages low down or on the ground and may sit motionless for periods of time. Similar to female Little slaty flycatcher, but has a rufous tail, a brown throat, and black rather than orange legs. Gives a short descending trill."<p>Its drab colour, low foraging areas and its habit of being perched motionless most likely makes this bird overlooked and unnoticed.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Ficedula crypta
Authority
(Vaurie, 1951)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Muscicapidae
Genus
Ficedula

Range and habitat

Found in both primary and secondary forest. It is a mid-montane species with its altitude range of where it is seen is 600 - 1,500 meters above sea level. It is known to forage low in the tree line, often perching on the ground.<p>IUCN has assessed this bird as a least-concern species . While it has a limited range, is supposedly common in areas it is found.however the population is said to be decreasing. This is due to habitat loss due to legal and illegal logging, mining and conversion into farmlands through Slash-and-burn or other methods.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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