Red-breasted Flycatcher
Ficedula parva
11.5cm
Appearance of the Red-breasted Flycatcher
This is a stout bird with two white sections at the base of its black tail; the tail is regularly moving. Adult males are brownish on top, their faces are bluish-grey, the chin and throat is orangish, and the underparts are otherwise buffish white. The eye is dark and big, and has a pale ring around it. Males may take between 2 and 4 years to gain full plumage. Female is brown overall on her back and whitish overall underneath; on the sides of her breast she is flushed with brownish buff. Birds in their first-winter are a dull brown on top and buffish underneath; they have the white markings on their tail.
Red-breasted Flycatcher Habitat
Gardens with older trees are common habitats, as are valleys in proximity to the coast; orchards and vineyards are occasional habitats. They may tend towards quarries or divots in cliffs if tree-life is scarce.
Character
May hunt insects, mostly flies, taking flight from a perch and pursuing them. Is usually quite timid and inconspicuous, opting for the cover of copses and valleys, or canopies well above the ground.
What does the Red-breasted Flycatcher eat?
Diet is mostly invertebrates such as flies, beetles, ants and spiders.
Red-breasted Flycatcher Breeding
Not a breeding bird of the region. The female lays 5 or 6 eggs and hatchlings depart the nest after about 11-15 days.
Population
The Red-breasted Flycatcher is a migrant bird that the region sees as it passes through, though a small number of birds arrive in spring after getting off-track. Numbers are highest at the start of October, and recently the average annual number of birds has been 86.
Observation Tips for the Red-breasted Flycatcher
Red-breasted Flycatchers found in the region are usually of their first-winter. Areas of the highest population of this species include Shetland, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Learning the call of this species can be a huge advantage in finding birds and identifying them.
Voice
Has a rattly call, often compared to a Wren's, and has a piercing 'chic' call too.
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