| Muscicapa | |
|---|---|
| File:SpottedFlycatcheronfence.jpg | |
| Spotted Flycatcher (M. striata) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Muscicapidae |
| Subfamily: | Muscicapinae |
| Genus: | Muscicapa Brisson, 1760 |
| Diversity | |
| [[#Species|About 25 species]] | |
Muscicapa is a genus of passerine birds belonging to the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, and therein to the typical flycatchers of subfamily Muscicapinae. They are widespread across Europe, Africa and Asia with most species occurring in forest and woodland habitats. Several species are migratory, moving south from Europe and northern Asia for the winter.[1]
They are small birds, 9 to 15 centimetres in length. They have a large head, short tail and a flattened bill, broader at the base. Their plumage is mostly drab brown or grey and rather plain. Young birds tend to be more spotted or mottled.[1]
Muscicapa flycatchers typically feed on flying insects which are caught by sallying out from an exposed perch. The nest is usually cup-shaped and built on a tree branch but some African species nest in tree holes.[1]
Species[]
23 to 25 different named species of Muscicapa flycatchers are recognized; one putative undescribed species is also known to exist on Sulawesi (Indonesia):[2]
- Grey-streaked Flycatcher or Grey-spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa griseisticta
- Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Muscicapa muttui
- Ferruginous Flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea
- Dark-sided Flycatcher or Siberian Flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica
- Asian Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica
- Brown-streaked Flycatcher, Muscicapa williamsoni
- Ashy-breasted Flycatcher, Muscicapa randi
- Sumba Brown Flycatcher, Muscicapa segregata
- Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Muscicapa ruficauda
- Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Muscicapa sethsmithi
- African Dusky Flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
- Little Grey Flycatcher, Muscicapa epulata
- Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
- Gambaga Flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
- Swamp Flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
- Cassin's Flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
- Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Muscicapa comitata
- Tessmann's Flycatcher, Muscicapa tessmanni
- Boehm's Flycatcher, Muscicapa boehmi
- Sulawesi Flycatcher, ?Muscicapa sp.[3]
Now in Bradornis[]
- Ussher's Flycatcher, Bradornis ussheri
- Sooty Flycatcher, Bradornis infuscata
Now in Fraseria[]
- Olivaceous Flycatcher, Frasieria olivascens
- Chapin's Flycatcher, Frasieria lendu
- Itombwe Flycatcher, Frasieria (lendu) itombwensis
- Ashy Flycatcher, Frasieria caerulescens
Footnotes[]
References[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Muscicapa |
- del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew & Sargatal, Jordi (eds.) (2006): Handbook of Birds of the World (Vol. 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers). Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-96553-06-X (Vol.11: 2006)
- King, Ben; Rostron, Philip; Luijendijk, Teus; Bouwman, Rob & Quispel, Chris (1999): An undescribed Muscicapa flycatcher on Sulawesi, Indonesia. Forktail 15: 104. PDF fulltext
- Perrins, Christopher (ed.) (2004): The New Encyclopedia of Birds. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 0198525060
- Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Pete; Christy, Patrice & Hockey, Phil (2003): Birds of Africa: a complete illustrated field guide to the birds of the Sahara. Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 1-86872-857-9
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