Slaty-backed Flycatcher

The Slaty-backed Flycatcher, known scientifically as Ficedula erithacus, is a small passerine bird belonging to the family Muscicapidae. It is a creature of subtle beauty, with a plumage that blends seamlessly into the dappled shadows of its forest home.

Identification Tips

This species can be identified by its modest size and the distinctive slate-grey coloration of its back, which gives the bird its common name. Observers should note the contrast between the slaty back and the lighter underparts when trying to identify this species.

Habitat

The Slaty-backed Flycatcher is a denizen of subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, as well as subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. These habitats provide the bird with the complex vertical structure it requires for foraging and nesting.

Distribution

The bird's range extends across various countries in Asia, including Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand. Within these regions, it is a bird of the forest, often found flitting through the understory or perched quietly in the foliage.

Behaviour

As with many flycatchers, this species is likely to exhibit the typical 'sallying' behavior, darting out from a perch to snatch insects from the air before returning to its vantage point.

Conservation status

The Slaty-backed Flycatcher is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. This suggests that, for now, the species is not at immediate risk of decline across its global range.