Old World flycatcher

(Muscicapidae)

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Suborder: Passeri (Oscines)

Family: Muscicapidae

Thumbnail description
A large, highly variable group consisting of about 135 species of songbirds. They are small-to medium-sized perching birds, sometimes quite colorful; most feed by making aerial sallies from an exposed perch to catch their prey of flying insects

Size
Body length 3–9 in (7.6–23 cm)

Number of genera, species
16 genera, 135 species, including 9 genera (109 species) of Muscicapinae (typical Old World flycatchers) and 7 genera (26 species) of Platysteirinae (African flycatchers)

Habitat
Species occur in a wide range of habitats, including forest, woodland, savanna, grassland, edges of waterbodies and wetlands, pasture and other agricultural areas, and well-vegetated gardens and residential areas

Conservation status
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists 18 species of the Muscicapidae as being at risk, plus another 19 species as being Near Threatened

Distribution
Widespread in Eurasia and Africa with the greatest richness of species occurring in tropical and subtropical Africa, India, and Southeast Asia

Evolution and systematics

As treated here, the Old World flycatchers (family Muscicapidae) include 16 genera and about 135 species, including 9 genera and 109 species of the subfamily Muscicapinae (the typical Old World flycatchers) and 7 genera and 26 species of Platysteirinae (the African flycatchers). However, avian systematists are actively studying the composition of this diverse group of birds and related ones. There is ongoing controversy about the relationship of the Muscicapidae to other designated families of passerine birds, and whether to combine some of these with the Old World flycatchers. One classification joins the Muscicapidae with several related families, including the whistlers (Pachycephalidae), the fantails (Rhipiduridae), and the monarchs (Monarchidae). That group would include about 49 genera and 398 species. Some other systematic treatments would include even more families than this, including the Old World warblers (Silviidae) and thrushes (Turdidae). The tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) are generally similar in appearance and behavior to the Muscicapidae, but this is because of convergent evolution as the families are not actually closely related.

Physical characteristics

The Old World flycatchers are a large and variable group consisting of about 135 species of songbirds. The subfamily Muscicapinae includes small- to medium-sized birds, with a body length generally ranging from 3–9 in (7.6–23 cm). The bill is relatively small, short, vertically (dorso-ventrally) flattened, and pointed. There are stout, well-developed bristles (known as rictal bristles) at the gape of the beak, which help increase the effectiveness at catching flying insects. The legs are relatively short and the feet small but well suited to perching. Coloration is highly variable among species, ranging from dull gray or brown to bright blue or vermilion and sometimes occurring in stark patterns. The sexes are colored alike in many species, but are dimorphic in others. Young birds are usually relatively subdued in coloration and spotted on the back and/or breast.

The subfamily Platysteirinae is also a varied group of small- to medium-sized songbirds. The bill is small, short, vertically flattened, and slightly hooked at the tip. There are well-developed rictal bristles at the gape of the beak. The tail is short and the legs and feet are variable in length and stoutness. An area of bare skin around the eye is variable in color among species. The sexes are colored differently, with the females being generally more subdued in pattern and hue. The plumage coloration of the male is mostly glossy black and white, while the female is usually more brown and sometimes light rufous on the belly. In both the Muscicapinae and Platysteirinae, relatively widespread species have been divided into various gepgraphically distinct subspecies and races that are distinct in elements of their size, plumage, behavior, and song.

Distribution

Species of typical Old World flycatchers are found widely through Eurasia and Africa. However, the greatest richness of species occurs in tropical Asia and Africa. Species of the Platysteirinae occur only in Africa.

Habitat

Species of Old World flycatchers occur in a wide range of habitats, including moist and dry forest, woodland, savanna, grassland, edges of waterbodies and wetlands, pasture and other agricultural areas, and well-vegetated gardens and residential areas.

Behavior

The northern species of Old World flycatchers are seasonal migrants, breeding in higher-latitude temperate and subarctic regions and wintering in subtropical and tropical areas. During their migration they travel at night and feed during the day. Species that breed in subtropical and tropical regions are resident there, although some of them may undertake seasonal movements between low- and high-altitude habitats. Most species are non-gregarious, occurring only singly, as pairs, or in small family groups consisting of parents and their immature progeny. The Old World flycatchers are strong and highly maneuverable fliers. Most species feed by sitting on a conspicuous perch until a flying insect is spotted, which is then pursued and caught in an aerial sally. Some species also glean prey from foliage, bark surfaces, or the ground. Some species have a well-developed song used to proclaim and defend their breeding territory, but in others it is relatively monotonous and weak. All species have calls used to communicate with individuals of their species, or to alert all nearby birds of the presence of a potential predator.

Feeding ecology and diet

Old World flycatchers use a variety of feeding tactics to prey on insects and other arthropods. Most species use an exposed vantage point, such as a high perch in a tree, to spot flying insects, which are then caught in an aerial pursuit. Some species also feed by gleaning prey from bark, branches, foliage, or spider webs, or by swooping down to feed on arthropods spotted on the ground. Some species repeatedly return to use a favorite perch for hunting, while others move about and frequently change their vantage point.

Reproductive biology

Old World flycatchers are highly territorial during their breeding season, defending a nesting area from others of their species. They do this by proclaiming their territory by frequent renditions of a song, and if this is not sufficient they will fight with intruders. They build a cup-shaped nest of grass, bark, and other plant fibers. The nest is generally placed in the fork of a branch, on a ledge of a bank, or in a cavity in a tree, stump, or cliff. They lay two to seven spotted or mottled eggs. In some species both parents participate in building the nest and incubating the eggs, while in others only the female does this. The incubation period ranges from about 12–22 days. Both parents care for the nestlings and fledglings. In some species, particularly of African flycatchers, immature birds of previous nestings will help their parents raise a new clutch of siblings.

Conservation status

The World Conservation Union IUCN lists 18 species of birds in the Muscicapidae as being at risk, plus another 19 species as being Near Threatened. However, the conservation status of many rare species in this group has not yet been studied. Further research will undoubtedly add additional species to the listings. Examples of listed species at-risk include the Nimba flycatcher (Melaenornis annamarulae) of the Ivory Coast and Guinea (Vulnerable), the streaky-breasted jungle-flycatcher (Rhinomyias addita) of China (Near Threatened), the white-browed jungle-flycatcher (Rhinomyias insignis) of the Philippines (Vulnerable), the Grand Comoro flycatcher (Humblotia flavirostris) of the Comoro Islands (Endangered), the Lampobattang flycatcher (Ficedula bonthaina) of Indonesia (Endangered), the red-tailed newtonia (Newtonia fanovanae) of Madagascar (Vulnerable), and the banded wattle-eye (Platysteira laticincta) of Cameroon (Endangered). All of these species are at-risk because of historical and ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation.

Significance to humans

Old World flycatchers are not of direct importance to humans, other than the indirect economic benefits of ecotourism and bird-watching focused on seeing birds in natural habitats. Moreover, it is crucial that research be undertaken to better understand the biology and habitat needs of the rare and endangered species of Old World flycatchers. In addition, their critical habitats must be identified and rigorously protected to prevent the extinction of these birds.

Species accounts

Resources

BirdLife International. Threatened Birds of the World. Barcelona and Cambridge: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, 2000.

Cramp, S., and C. M. Perrins, eds. Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palaearctic: Old World Flycatchers to Shrikes. New York: Oxford Press, 1993.

Urban, E. K., C. H. Fry, and S. Keith. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 5. London: Academic Press.

BirdLife International. Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0NA United Kingdom. Phone: +44 1 223 277 318. Fax: +44-1-223-277-200. E-mail: birdlife@birdlife.org.uk Web site:

IUCN–The World Conservation Union. Rue Mauverney 28, Gland, 1196 Switzerland. Phone: +41-22-999-0001. Fax: +41-22-999-0025. E-mail: mail@hq.iucn.org Web site:

[Article by: Bill Freedman, PhD]

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: any of a large group of small songbirds that feed on insects taken on the wing
  Synonyms: true flycatcher, flycatcher

For other uses of the term flycatcher, see Flycatcher (disambiguation).

Old World flycatchers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Suborder:	Passeri
Family:	Muscicapidae Vigors, 1825
Genera
See text.

The Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae is a large family of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.

Contents 1 Characteristics 2 Systematics 3 Muscicapidae in taxonomic order 4 References 5 External links

Characteristics

The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. They are small to medium birds, ranging from 10 to 21 centimetres in length. Many species are a dull brown in colour, but the plumage of some can be much brighter, especially in the males. Most have broad, flattened, bill, suited to catching insects in flight, although the few ground foraging species typically have finer bills.^[1]

Old World flycatchers live in almost every environment with a suitable supply of trees, from dense forest to open scrub, and even the montane woodland of the Himalayas. The more northerly species migrate south in winter, ensuring a continuous diet of insects.^[1]

Depending on the species, their nests are either well-constructed cups placed in a tree or cliff ledge, or simply lining in a pre-existing tree hole. The hole-nesting species tend to lay larger clutches, with an average of eight eggs, rather than just two to five.^[1]

Systematics

This section includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (April 2009)

This article follows the Handbook of Birds of the World in including the small chat-like ground feeders previously classed with the Turdidae thrushes in this group. Recent biochemical studies^{[citation needed]} place certain traditional thrush genera (Monticola, Myiophonus, Brachypteryx, and Alethe) here in the Muscicapidae. Conversely the Asian saxicoline genera Grandala and Cochoa belong among the thrushes.

The division of Muscicapidae into two subfamilies may be artificial. Some genera in one subfamily are closer to members of the other and vice-versa. As the exact relationships of the family's members are worked out the internal taxonomic structure of the family may need to be radically revised.

Muscicapidae in taxonomic order

This is a list of muscicapid species, presented in taxonomic order.

FAMILY: MUSCICAPIDAE

• Subfamily Muscicapinae - typical flycatchers
  • Genus Empidornis
    • Silverbird, Empidornis semipartitus
  • Genus Bradornis - 4 species.
  • Genus Melaenornis - 7 species.
  • Genus Fraseria - 2 species.
  • Genus Sigelus
    • Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens
  • Genus Rhinomyias - 11 species.
  • Genus Muscicapa - 24 species.
  • Genus Myioparus - 2 species.
  • Genus Humblotia
    • Grand Comoro Flycatcher, Humblotia flavirostris
  • Genus Ficedula - c.30 species (apparently saxicoline, related to Tarsiger).
  • Genus Cyanoptila -
    • Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana
  • Genus Eumyias - 5 species.
  • Genus Niltava - 6 species.
  • Genus Anthipes - 2 species (considered part of Ficedula but closer to Niltava).

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae - Male with feed at Ananthagiri Hills, in Rangareddy district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

• • Genus Cyornis - 19 species.
  • Genus Muscicapella - closely related to 2 species of Ficedula and should be placed in that genus
    • Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, Muscicapella hodgsoni
  • Genus Culicicapa - 2 species.
  • Genus Horizorhinus
    • Dohrn's Flycatcher, Horizorhinus dohrni

• Subfamily Saxicolinae - chats and allies (formerly in Turdidae)
  • Genus Tarsiger, bush-robins (5 species)
  • Genus Luscinia (11 species) - paraphyletic
  • Genus Erithacus (3 species) - paraphyletic
  • Genus Irania, White-throated Robin
  • Genus Saxicola, bushchats and stonechats (14 species)
  • Genus Monticola: rock thrushes (13 species, includes Pseudocossyphus)
  • Genus Pogonocichla, White-starred Robin
  • Genus Swynnertonia, Swynnerton's Robin
  • Genus Stiphrornis, forest robins (1-5 species, depending on taxonomy)
  • Genus Xenocopsychus, Angola Cave Chat

Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata

• • Genus Saxicoloides, Indian Robin
  • Genus Cinclidium (3 species)
  • Genus Namibornis, Herero Chat
  • Genus Cercomela (9 species)
  • Genus Myrmecocichla (7 species)
  • Genus Thamnolaea, cliff chats (2 species)
  • Genus Pinarornis, Boulder Chat
  • Genus Sheppardia, akalats (9 species)
  • Genus Cossyphicula, White-bellied Robin-chat - may belong in Cossypha
  • Genus Cossypha, robin-chats (14 species)
  • Genus Cichladusa, palm-thrushes (3 species)
  • Genus Cercotrichas, scrub-robins or bush-chats (11 species) - possibly muscicapine
  • Genus Copsychus, magpie-robins or shamas (7 species) - possibly muscicapine
  • Genus Phoenicurus, true redstarts (11 species)- forms a well-supported clade with the following 2 genera placed within
  • Genus Chaimarrornis, White-capped Redstart - Paraphyletic with some Phoenicurus
  • Genus Rhyacornis (2 species) - Paraphyletic with some Phoenicurus
  • Genus Enicurus, forktails (7 species)
  • Genus Myophonus: whistling thrushes (9 species)
  • Genus Oenanthe, wheatears (some 20 species)
  • Genus Trichixos, Rufous-tailed Shama
  • Genus Brachypteryx: shortwings (5 species)
  • Genus Heinrichia: Great Shortwing
  • Genus Alethe: alethes (5 species)

• Aberrant redstart, subfamily assignment not fully resolved
  • Genus Hodgsonius, White-bellied Redstart

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Perrins, C. (1991). Forshaw, Joseph. ed. Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. pp. 194–195. ISBN 1-85391-186-0. 

• Del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2006). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 849655306X.

• Jønsson, K.A., and J. Fjeldsa. 2006. A phylogenetic supertree of oscine passerine birds (Aves:Passeri). Zoologica Scripta 35: 149-186.

• Lei, X., Lian, Z.-M., Lei F.-M., Yin Z.-H., Zhao H.-F. 2007. Phylogeny of some Muscicapinae birds based on cyt b mitochondrial gene sequences. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 53(1):95 - 105. PDF fulltext

• Outlaw, D.C., Voelker, G. 2006. Systematics of Ficedula flycatchers (Muscicapidae): A molecular reassessment of a taxonomic enigma. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Vol. 41:1, pp 118–126. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.05.004 PDF fulltext

• Pan, Q.-W., Lei F.-M., Yang S.-J., Yin Z.-H., Huang Y., Tai F.-D., Kristin, A. 2006. Phylogenetic analysis of some Turdinae birds based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 52(1):87 - 98. PDF fulltext

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Muscicapidae

• Old World flycatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection
•  "Flycatcher". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911. 

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