Stresemann's Bristlefront

A small, nondescript brown songbird. An abnormal white-eye, appearing more like a gerygone due to its brown upperparts, whitish underside, and complete absence of a white eye-ring. Occurs in the foothills within thickets, scrub, and forest edge. Gregarious, often mixing with other species, especially the very different Mountain and Seram White-eyes. Confined to Seram. Unmistakable within its limited range, where no gerygones occur. High-pitched twittering call reported.

A woodland species typically found at lower elevation and in scrub and mangroves; hunts from within woods, but also on exposed perches. The similar Sad Flycatcher is smaller, smaller billed, lacks rust on the primaries, and has weak or no wingbars. The similar Rufous-tailed Flycatcher is larger, darker on the head and chest, has a heftier bill and bright rufous on tail. The dawn song is “weeeee-pitit-wee,” with first and last syllables rising and then falling. Calls include a whistled rising-and-then-falling “weee-ee,” an emphatic twittering “prrree,” and a sputtering “peet-it,” among other quick twittering calls.

Breeding male is boldly pied, with a big white wing patch and white forehead spot. Female and immature are brown above, with an obvious white wing patch. In areas of overlap, compare with very similar Collared and Semicollared Flycatchers. Breeds in shady, mixed and deciduous woodland, especially with oaks. Uses a range of habitats on migration and on wintering grounds, including forest edge, open woodland, and plantation. Feeds at all levels, sallying after insects in the leafy foliage; at times, perches out on open fences. Song is a cheerful whistled series with an up-and-down quality. Calls include a sharp, bright, somewhat metallic “wit!” and a short “tsee.”