Rusty-tailed Flycatcher
Ficedula ruficauda
栗尾姬鹟
Introduction
A small passerine bird in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. Found across the northern Indian subcontinent, southwest India, and pockets of Central Asia including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Partially migratory: Central Asian populations winter along India's southwest coast along the Arabian Sea in Karnataka and Kerala, while Himalayan populations remain resident year-round. An occasional vagrant to other Indian regions. Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown it to be basal within the tribe Muscicapini, leading to taxonomic proposals for placement in a monotypic genus.
Description
A small flycatcher measuring 14 cm (5.5 in) in length and weighing 11-16 g (0.39-0.56 oz). The sexes are similar in plumage with distinctive rusty-colored tail feathers that give the species its common name. Otherwise shows typical flycatcher appearance with relatively plain upperparts and more subdued underparts.
Identification
Key distinguishing feature is the rusty-colored tail. Similar in size and structure to other small Asian flycatchers. The combination of plain plumage with the rusty tail and the species' geographic range aid in identification. Central Asian wintering populations may overlap with resident Himalayan individuals.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeding range extends across northern parts of the Indian subcontinent and into Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Central Asian populations are migratory, traveling south to winter along India's Arabian Sea coast including Karnataka and Kerala. Himalayan populations are resident year-round throughout their range. Occasional vagrant sightings reported from other areas of India.
Behavior & Ecology
No detailed behavioral information provided in source material.
Conservation
No conservation status assessment provided in source material.
Culture
No cultural significance or folklore documented in source material.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Ficedula
- eBird Code
- rutfly6
Distribution
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and eastern Afghanistan to northern India and Nepal
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.