Rusty-tailed Flycatcher
Muscicapa ruficauda
Silhouette: Ekytza · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
- GenusMuscicapa (Muscicapa Flycatchers)
- SpeciesMuscicapa ruficauda (Rusty-tailed Flycatcher)
About the Rusty-tailed Flycatcher
The rusty-tailed flycatcher (Ficedula ruficauda) is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is found mainly in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent and some parts of southwest India, as well as pockets of Central Asia including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The species is partially migratory, with the Central Asian populations migrating to India, as far as the southwest Indian coast along the Arabian Sea, to Karnataka and Kerala.
Other populations, especially those across the lower Himalayas, remain in their native regions year-round and breed there. The species is also an occasional vagrant to other areas in India. The rusty-tailed flycatcher is 14 cm (5.5 in) in length and weighs 11–16 g (0.39–0.56 oz). The sexes have similar plumage.
In a molecular phylogenetic study of species in Muscicapa and related genera (tribe Muscicapini) published in 2016, Gary Voelker and colleagues found that the rusty-tailed flycatcher was basal to the other Muscicapini species and proposed that it be placed in its own monotypic genus Ripleyia. This name was found to be preoccupied and was replaced by Ripleyornis. A subsequent phylogenetic analysis that included species from both Ficedula and Muscicapa found that the rusty-tailed flycatcher formed part of a clade containing members of Ficedula. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Rusty-tailed Flycatcher in Eravikulam National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Eravikulam National Park
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Muscicapa latirostris
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Copsychus saularis
Nilgiri Flycatcher
Eumyias albicaudatus
Malabar Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus horsfieldii
Pied Bushchat
Saxicola caprata
White-bellied Blue Robin
Myiomela albiventris
Black-and-orange Flycatcher
Ficedula nigrorufa
Blue Rock-Thrush
Monticola solitarius
Indian Blue Robin
Luscinia brunnea
Blue-capped Rock-Thrush
Monticola cinclorhynchus
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher
Cyornis tickelliae
Verditer Flycatcher
Eumyias thalassinus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Periyar National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 2 | Eravikulam National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 3 | Mudumalai National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 4 | Nagarhole National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 5 | Bandipur National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 6 | Langtang National Park | 🇳🇵 Nepal | |
| 7 | Kaeng Krachan National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Rusty-tailed Flycatcher in Eravikulam National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Rusty-tailed Flycatcher sighting in Eravikulam National Park, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Rusty-tailed Flycatcher in Eravikulam National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Rusty-tailed Flycatcher in Eravikulam National Park in our monthly data.