Brown-breasted Flycatcher

Overview

The brown-breasted flycatcher, also known as Layard's flycatcher, is a small passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is named after Muttu, the servant of explorer Layard who provided the original specimen.

Identification

• Size and mass: 13–14 cm in length and weighing between 10 and 14 g.
• Plumage: Olive brown upper parts with rufous upper tail coverts and outer webs of tail feathers; pale brown breast and buffy white belly with white chin and throat.
• Distinctive markings: Pale lores, a conspicuous eye ring, faint submoustachial stripes, and pale flesh-coloured legs and lower mandible, which distinguish it from the Asian brown flycatcher that has black legs.
• Vocalisations: Emits a faint 'tseet' call audible only at close range, or a series of 'chi-chi-chi-chi' notes ending in a low 'chit-chit'.

Habitat

Breeds in north-eastern India, central and southern China, and northern Burma and Thailand, while wintering in southern India and Sri Lanka. It inhabits forest environments, foraging below the canopy.

Diet

Forages for insects below the forest canopy, often close to the forest floor.

Did you know?

The species is also known as Layard's flycatcher, named after his servant Muttu, who brought the original specimen to the naturalist.