Rufous-breasted blue flycatcher explained

The rufous-breasted blue flycatcher (Cyornis camarinensis) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found on the Bicol Peninsula and Catanduanes. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the blue-breasted blue flycatcher (Cyornis herioti).[1] It is one of the most mysterious and least observed species with no known photos of any living bird.

Description

EBird describes it as "An attractive flycatcher of forest understory from the lowlands to low mountains of southern Luzon and Catanduanes. Male has deep blue upperparts and sides to the chest, pale orange breast and throat, blackish face, and a white belly. Female has a brown back, white belly, rufous forehead, wings and tail, a grayish-brown head, and an orange throat. An inconspicuous and poorly-known species. Males is similar to Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher, but lacks the black chin of male and white face of the female. Song is a high-pitched, shrill “tsiiiiiiiii!” followed by a variety of lower notes."[2]

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is seen on the undergrowth of primary forests or along forest edge.[3] IUCN estimates just 2,500- 9,999 mature individuals remaining with populations believe to be declining due to ongoing habitat destruction.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gill . Frank . Frank Gill (ornithologist) . Donsker . David . Rasmussen . Pamela . Pamela Rasmussen . January 2023 . Chats, Old World flycatchers . IOC World Bird List Version 13.1 . International Ornithologists' Union . 4 February 2023.
  2. Web site: Rufous-breasted Blue Flycatcher - eBird . 2024-08-07 . ebird.org . en.
  3. Book: Allen, Desmond . Birds of the Philippines . Lynx and Birdlife International Field Guides . 2020 . Barcelona .
  4. Web site: