Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Muscicapa sibirica
Family: Chats, Old World Flycatchers, and Allies · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 11.5–13 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds from the northern Indian subcontinent, Siberia, and western and northeastern China to Korea and Japan; winters in southern China and Southeast Asia.
A rather dark flycatcher. Key features to note: short dark bill, smudgy greyish-brown streaks on breast and flanks, dark undertail-covert centres, relatively long primary projection with wing tips ending near the tip of the undertail-coverts when perched. Appears more compact than Asian Brown Flycatcher, which also lacks dark undertail-covert centres, has shorter wings, and shows well-defined white lores and a larger, obviously bicoloured bill. Grey-streaked Flycatcher has well-defined streaks on underparts, more obvious white lores, and white undertail-coverts. Brown-streaked Flycatcher has a larger bill, is a warmer shade of brown overall and shows warm buff wing-covert fringes. Juvenile has spottier underparts and white spots on crown and greater coverts.
Forest, parks, gardens, wooded areas, and mangroves.
Frequents canopy and middle storey.