Old World flycatcher
Encyclopedia
The Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae is a large family of small passerine
bird
s mostly restricted to the Old World
. These are mainly small arboreal insectivore
s, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.
of some can be much brighter, especially in the males. Most have broad flattened bills suited to catching insects in flight, although the few ground foraging species typically have finer bills.
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.
Depending on the species, their nest
s 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.
-like ground feeders previously classed with the Turdidae thrushes
in this group. Recent biochemical studies 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.
.
FAMILY: MUSCICAPIDAE
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Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s mostly restricted to the Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
. These are mainly small arboreal insectivore
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
s, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.
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 plumagePlumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
of some can be much brighter, especially in the males. Most have broad flattened bills suited to catching insects in flight, although the few ground foraging species typically have finer bills.
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
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
. The more northerly species migrate south in winter, ensuring a continuous diet of insects.
Depending on the species, their nest
Bird nest
A bird nest is the spot in which a bird lays and incubates its eggs and raises its young. Although the term popularly refers to a specific structure made by the bird itself—such as the grassy cup nest of the American Robin or Eurasian Blackbird, or the elaborately woven hanging nest of the...
s 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.
Systematics
This article follows the Handbook of Birds of the World in including the small chatChat (bird)
Chats are a group of small Old World insectivorous birds formerly classed as members of the thrush family Turdidae, but now considered Old World flycatchers....
-like ground feeders previously classed with the Turdidae thrushes
Thrush (bird)
The thrushes, family Turdidae, are a group of passerine birds that occur worldwide.-Characteristics:Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and often feed on the ground or eat small fruit. The smallest thrush may be the Forest Rock-thrush, at and...
in this group. Recent biochemical studies place certain traditional thrush genera (Monticola, Myiophonus, Brachypteryx, and Alethe
Alethe
The Alethes are small mainly insectivorous birds in the genus Alethe of the Old World flycatcher and chat family Muscicapidae. The genus is one of many chats moved from the thrush family to the flycatchers.All are African species:...
) here in the Muscicapidae. Conversely the Asian saxicoline genera Grandala
Grandala
The Grandala is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
and Cochoa
Cochoa
The cochoas are medium-sized frugivorous, insectivorous and molluscivorous birds in the genus 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 orderTaxonomic order
Taxonomic sequence is a sequence followed in listing of taxa which aids ease of use and roughly reflects the evolutionary relationships among the taxa...
.
FAMILY: MUSCICAPIDAE
- Subfamily Muscicapinae - typical flycatchers
- Genus EmpidornisSilverbird (bird)The Silverbird is a long passerine bird native to Eastern Africa.- Description :The Silverbird is a stunning flycatcher of open areas west of the Rift Valley, silvery grey above and tawny orange below...
- SilverbirdSilverbird (bird)The Silverbird is a long passerine bird native to Eastern Africa.- Description :The Silverbird is a stunning flycatcher of open areas west of the Rift Valley, silvery grey above and tawny orange below...
, Empidornis semipartitus
- Silverbird
- Genus BradornisBradornisBradornis is a genus of small passerine birds in the large family Muscicapidae commonly known as the Old World flycatchers.-Species:*Pale Flycatcher, Bradornis pallidus*Chat Flycatcher, Bradornis infuscatus...
- 4 species. - Genus MelaenornisMelaenornisMelaenornis is a genus of small passerine birds in the large family Muscicapidae commonly known as the Old World flycatchers. They are restricted to sub-Saharan Africa...
- 7 species. - Genus FraseriaFraseriaFraseria is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* White-browed Forest-flycatcher * African Forest-flycatcher -References:...
- 2 species. - Genus SigelusFiscal FlycatcherThe Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It is a resident breeder in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland, and a vagrant to Namibia...
- Fiscal FlycatcherFiscal FlycatcherThe Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It is a resident breeder in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland, and a vagrant to Namibia...
, Sigelus silens
- Fiscal Flycatcher
- Genus RhinomyiasRhinomyiasRhinomyias is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* Streaky-breasted Jungle-flycatcher * White-throated Jungle-flycatcher...
- 11 species. - Genus MuscicapaMuscicapaMuscicapa 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...
- 24 species. - Genus MyioparusMyioparusMyioparus is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* Grey-throated Tit-flycatcher * Grey Tit-flycatcher -References:...
- 2 species. - Genus Humblotia
- Grand Comoro Flycatcher, Humblotia flavirostris
- Genus Ficedula - c.30 species (apparently saxicoline, related to Tarsiger).
- Genus Cyanoptila -
- Blue-and-white FlycatcherBlue-and-White FlycatcherThe Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Cyanoptila cyanomelana is a migratory songbird. It breeds in Japan, Korea, and in parts of China and Russia. It winters in South East Asia, especially in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo.-References:...
, Cyanoptila cyanomelana
- Blue-and-white Flycatcher
- Genus EumyiasEumyiasEumyias is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* Nilgiri Flycatcher * Indigo Flycatcher * Island Flycatcher...
- 5 species. - Genus NiltavaNiltavaNiltava is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It contains the following species:* Fujian Niltava * Large Niltava * Small Niltava...
- 6 species. - Genus AnthipesAnthipesAnthipes is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Anthipes monileger* Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Anthipes solitaris-References:...
- 2 species (considered part of Ficedula but closer to Niltava).
- Genus Empidornis
-
- Genus CyornisCyornisCyornis is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* Hill Blue-flycatcher * Large-billed Blue-flycatcher * White-tailed Flycatcher...
- 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
- Genus Cyornis
- Subfamily Saxicolinae - chats and allies (formerly in Turdidae)
- Genus TarsigerTarsigerTarsiger is a genus of six species of birds in the family Muscicapidae. They are small, mostly brightly coloured insectivorous birds native to Asia and northeastern Europe; four of the six species are confined to the Sino-Himalayan mountain system...
, bush-robins (5 species) - Genus LusciniaLusciniaLuscinia is a genus of smallish passerine birds, containing the nightingales and relatives. Formerly classed as members of the thrush family Turdidae, they are now considered to be Old World flycatchers of the chat subfamily...
(11 species) - paraphyletic - Genus ErithacusErithacusThe robins are small passerine birds comprising the genus Erithacus. They were formerly classed as members of the thrush family, but now considered to be Old World flycatchers of the chat subfamily ....
(3 species) - paraphyletic - Genus Irania, White-throated Robin
- Genus SaxicolaSaxicolaThe genus Saxicola , the stonechats or chats, is a genus of 15 species of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World...
, 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
- Genus Tarsiger
-
- Genus Saxicoloides, Indian Robin
- Genus MyiomelaMyiomelaMyiomela is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* White-tailed Robin * Sunda Robin, * Nilgiri Blue Robin,...
(4 species) - Genus Cinclidium, Blue-fronted Robin
- Genus Namibornis, Herero Chat
- Genus CercomelaCercomelaCercomela is a genus of small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It comprises nine species of chats.- Overview :These are typically birds of open dry habitats such as open scrub, stony or rocky areas and short grassland...
(9 species) - Genus MyrmecocichlaMyrmecocichlaMyrmecocichla is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family. Thamnolaea is a synonym. It contains the following species:* Anteater Chat...
(7 species) - Genus Thamnolaea, cliff chats (2 species)
- Genus Pinarornis, Boulder Chat
- Genus Sheppardia, akalatAkalatThe akalats are medium-sized insectivorous birds in the genus Sheppardia. They were formerly placed in the thrush family, Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae....
s (9 species) - Genus Cossyphicula, White-bellied Robin-chat - may belong in Cossypha
- Genus Cossypha, robin-chatRobin-chatThe robin-chats are small insectivorous birds in the genera Cossyphicula and Cossypha. They were formerly in the thrush family Turdidae, but are now more often treated as part of the Old World flycatcher Muscicapidae....
s (14 species) - Genus Cichladusa, palm-thrushPalm-thrushThe palm-thrushes are medium-sized insectivorous birds in the genus Cichladusa. They were formerly in the thrush family Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old World flycatcher Muscicapidae....
es (3 species) - Genus Cercotrichas, scrub-robinScrub-robinThe scrub robins or bush chats are medium-sized insectivorous birds in the genus Cercotrichas. They were formerly in the thrush family , but are more often now treated as part of the Old World flycatcher family...
s or bush-chats (11 species) - possibly muscicapine - Genus Copsychus, magpie-robinMagpie-robinThe magpie-robins or shamas are medium-sized insectivorous birds in the genera Copsychus and Trichixos...
s or shamas (7 species) - possibly muscicapine - Genus PhoenicurusPhoenicurusPhoenicurus is a genus of eleven species of birds in the family Muscicapidae, native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Along with three other closely related genera, they are named redstarts from their orange-red tails...
, true redstartRedstartRedstarts are a group of small Old World birds. They were formerly classified in the thrush family , but are now known to be part of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae...
s (11 species)- forms a well-supported clade with the following 2 genera placed within - Genus Chaimarrornis, White-capped Redstart - Paraphyletic with some Phoenicurus
- Genus RhyacornisRhyacornisRhyacornis is a genus of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It contains the following species:* Luzon Water-redstart * Plumbeous Water-redstart...
(2 species) - Paraphyletic with some Phoenicurus - Genus Enicurus, forktailForktailThe forktails are small insectivorous birds in the genus Enicurus. They were formerly in the thrush family Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. Their name derives from their long forked tail....
s (7 species) - Genus Myophonus: whistling thrushes (9 species)
- Genus OenantheWheatearThe wheatears are passerine birds of the genus Oenanthe. They were formerly considered to be members of the thrush family Turdidae, but are now more commonly placed in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae...
, wheatears (some 20 species) - Genus Trichixos, Rufous-tailed Shama
- Genus Brachypteryx: shortwings (3 species)
- Genus Heinrichia: Great Shortwing
- Genus AletheAletheThe Alethes are small mainly insectivorous birds in the genus Alethe of the Old World flycatcher and chat family Muscicapidae. The genus is one of many chats moved from the thrush family to the flycatchers.All are African species:...
: alethes (5 species)
- Aberrant redstartRedstartRedstarts are a group of small Old World birds. They were formerly classified in the thrush family , but are now known to be part of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae...
, subfamily assignment not fully resolved- Genus Hodgsonius, White-bellied Redstart
External links
- Old World flycatcher videos on the Internet Bird Collection