Green-backed Flycatcher
Ficedula elisae
绿背姬鹟
Introduction
The species is a member of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). It was formerly classified as a subspecies of the Narcissus Flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina) but is now recognized as a distinct species based on morphological and vocal differences. It breeds in northeastern China in mixed forests and forest edges, migrating to wintering grounds in southeast Asia. Males in first-spring plumage were formerly described as 'Beijing Flycatcher' or 'Peking Flycatcher' but represent an immature color morph rather than a separate taxon. It has a relatively restricted breeding range.
Distribution & Habitat
This species breeds exclusively in northeastern China, where it occupies temperate forest habitats including mixed woodland and forest edges. As a long-distance migratory bird, it relocates to southeast Asia for the winter months, though specific wintering areas within that region remain less precisely documented compared to its breeding range. The species likely follows established flycatcher migration routes through eastern China, moving southward to reach suitable wintering habitats in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, or neighboring regions.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Ficedula
- eBird Code
- narfly1
Distribution
breeds breeds in northeastern China (Shanxi and Hebei); migrates to southern China, Hainan, and southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaya, and Vietnam)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.