Malaysian Birds - Rufous-browed Flycatcher

 

 Size & diagnostic markings:- 13 Cm. This is a resident seen only in good number in certain months of the year. This Flycatcher though maintaining the same size as the other Flycatcher has quite a different appearance in body shape because of it's shorter tail. This Flycatcher has yellowish orange upper part and a under part in lighter shade. The front of the crown is distinctively bright rufous that stretches over the face. Otherwise the whole bird almost gold, rich rufous-chest to be exact. The underpart in much duller shade. Diagnostic would be the pure white throat with a black border. For our species, this black trimming should not be noticeable at all but the pictures I have show the border rather clearly.

Distribution :-  This is a bird from the island of Sumatra. Ours in Fraser's Hill are residents seen throughout the year

Habitats & preferences:- This is a sub-montane bird, easily spotted in Frasers hills

The Rufous-browed Flycatcher is also 13 cm. long. This is a bird that originates from the Sumatra Island and now a resident of Fraser Hills, at least this is the place where the bird was seen most often.

This is definitely a sub-montane bird that prefers the lower storey or shall I say prefers valleys and depressions inland where it can flies up over the edge. Quite often spotted at the edge of steep slopes or deep down in the valley.

I can recall one incident that the bird was perched when spotted and called incessantly. Other times, the bird did stay at the same place when spotted without any hurry to leave. When the bird is threatened for example with the presence of human nearby, the bird would remained perched in the same spot or move to another which is nearby, but remains visible.

Rufous-browed Flycatcher's picture No. 1

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 2

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 3

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 4

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 5

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 6

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 7

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 8

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 9

 

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 10

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 11

Rufous-browed  Flycatcher's picture No. 12

This is a very curious bird. Detecting unfamiliar noises, the bird would appear from its hiding to detect and in no hurry to leave. By now, most of the birds in Fraser's Hill are well domesticated by those bird photographers. So it is easy to lure them out with calls and meal worms.

 

 

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