Green-backed Flycatcher

Green-backed Flycatcher

Scientific Name: Ficedula elisae

Malay Name: Sambar-Kunyit Hijau

Chinese Name: 绿背姬鹟

Alternative Name(s): Chinese Flycatcher

Range: Breeds in northeastern China and winters to southern China and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 13-13.5 cm

Identification: Male has olive-green upperparts with white wing patch and yellowish loral stripe, eyering, rump and underparts. Female resembles male but has paler yellowish underparts, no yellow rump and the white wing patch is replaced by two faint narrow pale bars on wing-coverts.

Similar looking species: Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher

Habitat: Forest, parks, gardens and wooded areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Prefers to forage at the lower storey in typical flycatcher pattern for insects.

Local Status: Uncommon migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Venus Drive, Lower Pierce, Bidadari, Bishan Park and Tuas South.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Green-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Feb 19-Feb 25
Early date 06 Sep 2016
Late date 30 Apr 2021
Once considered a rare migrant to Singapore, this species is now known to be much commoner, with several records from various sites every year.

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Ficedula elisae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103769400A104316829.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

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

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