Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata Scientific name definitions

13–14·5 cm; 10–15 g. Small to medium-sized forest flycatcher with prominent face pattern, rufous patch on breast and white patches at base of tail. Male nominate race has white on forehead extending narrowly over lores to above eye, black cheek, chin  and throat, deep grey forecrown, ear-coverts and side of neck; rear crown hindneck and upperparts, including upperwing, olive-brown, tertials and inner secondaries edged warm brown; uppertail-coverts dark grey or blackish, becoming black on tail, except for broad white bases  of all outer rectrices; centre of upper breast bright rufous  (frequently concealed, occasionally lacking), bordered by grey on breast side and lower breast, flanks buffish, belly to undertail-coverts whitish; iris brown; bill black; legs dark grey or black. Female is similar to male, but has less distinct white on forehead to over eye, paler face pattern  , duller orange patch on upper breast, and slate-grey centre of lower breast. Juvenile has head, upperparts and underparts heavily spotted with buff, spots on scapulars fringed darker, breast and flanks barred or scalloped with darker fringes, flight-feathers and tail as adult. Race fuscogularis male has warmer olive-brown upperparts than nominate, larger rufous patch on breast and slate-grey side of head to throat, female has grey chin and throat.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Nominate race a short-distance migrant and altitudinal migrant; after breeding, descends to lower altitudes, and also moves S to S China and C & S Myanmar; present in N Thailand late Oct or early Nov to early Mar. Race fuscogularis resident in Indochina.

Food not well known; includes small invertebrates  . Usually solitary or in pairs. Forages in undergrowth, occasionally on ground and in lower and middle levels of forest trees. Generally inconspicuous, perching low down, but not shy. Flirts and spreads tail when alarmed.

Song  a thin but evenly spaced “zwi-chirr rri” or “zreet-creet-creet-chirt-chirt”. Calls  include high-pitched upslurred “pee-tweet”, a chat-like “tchuk-tchuk-tchuk”, a sharp, metallic “pink”, also harsh “trrt”.