Dark-sided Flycatcher

Scientific Name: Muscicapa sibirica

Malay Name: Sambar-Kusam Paruh Kecil

Chinese Name: 乌鹟

Range: Found from northern Indian subcontinent, Siberia, western and north-eastern China, Korea to Japan with northern population wintering in southern China and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: sibirica, gulmergi, cacabata, rothschildi.

Local Subspecies: sibirica, rothschildi

Size: 11.5-13 cm

Identification: Resembles Asian-brown Flycatcher but has darker upperparts, longer wings (tips reaching two thirds of the way down the tail), shorter and all black bill, smudgy greyish-brown breast/flanks and dark undertail-coverts centres. Juvenile has darker upperparts with distinct pale buff spots/streaks and scaled/blackish streaks on breast and flanks.

Similar looking species: Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher

Habitat: Forest, parks, gardens, wooded areas and mangroves.

Behaviour/Ecology: Usually solitary, frequenting the canopy and middle storey. Typically sits upright on exposed perch, sallying after flying insects.

Local Status: Uncommon migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Bidadari, Singapore Botanic Gardens and other suitable habitats.

Featured reports: Mar 2022, Apr 2022, May 2022, Sep 2022, Oct 2022, Nov 2022, Dec 2022, Jan 2023, Feb 2023, Mar 2023, Apr 2023, Sep 2023, Oct 2023

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2013 to Jun 2023
Peak week Nov 12-Nov 18
Early date 03 Sep 2022
Late date 19 May 2021
A generally uncommon Muscicapa with several sightings from Sep to Apr every year.
Juvenile Dark-sided Flycatcher at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Dark-sided Flycatcher at Bidadari. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile Dark-sided Flycatcher at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Dark-sided Flycatcher (ssp. sibirica) at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Photo Credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Dark-sided Flycatcher (ssp. sibirica) at Hindhede Park. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Dark-sided Flycatcher at Bidadari. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Dark-sided Flycatcher (ssp. rothschildi) at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Alan Ng

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Dark-sided Flycatcher)

References:

BirdLife International. (2019). Muscicapa sibirica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22709204A155604903.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Dark-sided Flycatcher. Retrieved on December 2, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/dark-sided-flycatcher.

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