Ashy-breasted Flycatcher
Muscicapa randi
A little-known small drab bird of lowland and foothill forest. Gray-brown above, darker in the wing, with a gray-brown chest blending to a white belly and a small white throat patch. Note the bicolored bill, black above and orange below. Similar to Furtive Flycatcher, but slightly larger, with an orange lower bill, no rufous outer tail feathers, and no black band on the end of the tail. Song consists of very high-pitched short phrases repeated at intervals.
Identification
EBird describes the bird as "A little-known small drab bird of lowland and foothill forest. Gray-brown above, darker in the wing, with a gray-brown chest blending to a white belly and a small white throat patch. Note the bicolored bill, black above and orange below. Similar to Furtive Flycatcher, but slightly larger, with an orange lower bill, no rufous outer tail feathers, and no black band on the end of the tail. Song consists of very high-pitched short phrases repeated at intervals. "
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Muscicapa randi
- Authority
- Amadon & duPont, 1970
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Muscicapa
Range and habitat
It inhabits primary and secondary growth forest up to 1,000 meters above sea level. It exhibits some tolerance to habitat degradation being recorded in clearings. It is often found perching on exposed branches near the canopy. Birds caught in August and September at Dalton Pass, Luzon, suggest that it may undertake intra-island movements, but possibly little more than post-breeding dispersal.<p>It has been assessed as vulnerable with a population currently between 6,000 and 15,000 and believed to be declining. In 1988, it was estimated that as little as 4% of original forest remained on Negros, 24% on Luzon with these figures continuing to decline. This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of legal and illegal logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range. In 1988, it was estimated that as little as 4% of original forest remained on Negros, 24% on Luzon with these figures continuing to decline.<p>It has been recorded in a few protected areas including Mount Makiling National Park and Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, however like most areas in the country, protection against deforestation and hunting is lax. It has also been found in the proposed area of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park which has received conservation funding.<p>Conservation actions proposed include to re-examine museum specimens of Muscicapa flycatchers from the Philippines to check identification, in order to resolve its anomalous distribution. Survey to further investigate its true distribution and population. Extend the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and improve enforcement. Afford formal protection to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Island Canary
Serinus canaria
Restricted to the Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira. Slightly bigger than European Serin and yellow-green overall with a pale bill, and a dark forked tail. Has a streaky rump, but this can be hard to see. Males are greenish-yellow below while females are duller and grayer on the breast and neck. The song is very melodic and rich. Found in forests, plantations, gardens, and orchards, sometimes gathering in flocks. Introduced to the Midway Atoll, where coloration ranges from unstreaked bright yellow to almost white.
Sri Lanka Bay-Owl
Phodilus assimilis
Small owl with immense dark eyes. Uncommon, strictly nocturnal, and very rarely seen. Listen for its odd squeaky whistles, “weeYEWWaweew,” delivered in series. Unmistakable if seen well: note heart-shaped face, richly-colored warm brown upperparts, and relatively clean underparts. A species of dense wet forests with thick undergrowth from lowlands up into hilly and montane areas.
Yellow-fronted Parrot
Poicephalus flavifrons
A chunky, mid-sized parrot with a big bill and a short tail. Mostly dark green, with a large yellow patch on the face that is absent in immatures. An Ethiopian endemic that is found at middle elevations in a variety of woodland and forest habitats. The calls are thin, high-pitched screeches. Similar to Meyer’s Parrot, but there is little overlap in range, and Yellow-fronted is separated by the lack of yellow shoulders and by the green upperparts.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.