Flycatchers are small to medium birds that feed on flies and other insects. Many Cambodian people are not very aware of them, this is why I am here to talk about these birds. Our country is home to 4 flycatcher species, and they are all on the list below.
Asian Brown Flycatcher (ចាបសុីរុយខ្នងត្នោត)
An Asian brown flycatcher is a small bird that grows to 13 centimeters big, including its long tail. Adults have gray-brown upperparts and whitish underparts with brown-tinged flanks, and it has a large and broad-based bill. They have large black eyes with a unique white rim on each eye. This flycatcher species is solitary so they only come together and live in pairs during the mating season. While being small, they are very territorial but they only defend themselves when they feel threatened.
The Asian brown flycatchers range all over Asia including Japan, the east of Siberia, and the Himalayas, and West Europe. This flycatcher species is common in cultivated areas and open woodlands where they nest in a hole in a tree. They are found in mangroves, mixed broadleaf forests, orchards, and swamp forests as well as gardens and parks. In those areas, they feed on insects and sometimes fruits but not common.
Red-Throated Flycatcher (ចាបសុីរុយកក្រហម)
Getting its name from the reddish-orange patch on its throat, this little bird is very adorable. The red-throated flycatcher or red-breasted flycatcher is a small flycatcher species that is only 11 to 12 centimeters long. A red-breasted flycatcher has a round body with a gray head, brown upperparts and upperwing, short bill, and white outer tail. Males have brighter plumage than females, and their red throats are more visible in the breeding season.
Just like other flycatchers, this one also takes insects in flight but they do more than that. Another skill that they have is hunting caterpillars amongst the oak foliage, and they also feed on berries too. Because of their diet, they are found mainly in deciduous and mixed woodlands that are near the water. Red-breasted flycatchers are monogamous and solitary, and they are also territorial during the breeding season. When in defense, a red-breasted flycatcher will flick its wings and cock its tail to show aggressive displays.
Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher (ចាបសុីរុយខៀវខ្ចីលាត)
When it comes to beautiful flycatcher species, the Tickell’s blue flycatcher has to be on the list. It is a small bird with a size of 11 to 12 centimeters, and some can grow up to 15 centimeters long. The eye-catching blue upperparts and throat make it one of a kind, looking absolutely gorgeous. The males are brighter blue while females are duller, and that is how you distinguish their sexes/ For the plumage, both sexes are brown, orange, and white on the underparts.
This flycatcher species feeds on flying insects, and they also pick up crawling insects as well. Feeding during dusk, they usually prey on earwigs, termites, and other insects that they find. They are common in bamboo forests, dry forests, gardens, and scrubs where insects are abundant. While the above flycatcher species are aggressive, this one tends to have a friendlier temperament.
Verditer Flycatcher (ចាបសុីរុយវាលទំនាប)
Here we have another striking flycatcher species with the distinctive copper-sulphate blue shade that stands out among the others. Adult males of this species are intense blue all over except for the black eye patch and gray vent. As for females, they are of similar colors but lighter. One of the unique things about these flycatchers is that they forage above the canopy level. Along with that, they like to perch on electric wires or on exposed tree top branches. The verditer flycatcher is found throughout Southeast Asia, living in a wide variety of habitats from forests to woodlands and more.
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