Mugimaki Flycatcher’s late return

on 10th January 2022

I was pleasantly surprised to see this Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki) today. Wells (2007) notes that the latest dates for return passage is 22nd April. HBW (2109) states latest dates for return are April for Peninsula Malaysia but mid-May for Borneo (exceptionally to early Jun), early May in the Philippines. I had seen quite a number of Mugimaki Flycatchers at this location earlier in the migratory season.

The bird is paler than expected, even for an adult female, but there is some orange in the throat. Appreciate any difference in opinions about the identification.

Also of interest was the bird feeding on a fruiting Ficus. I have seen Mugimaki Flycatchers take fruit a number of times, so that was not surprising. But this particular Ficus fruit is not one that I have ever seen any bird or animal consume. I think it is either the Ficus hispida or Ficus auriculata. The fruit is large and the bird has to chip away at the fruit; unlike the usual smaller Ficus fruit which is snatched and swallowed.

 

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr)

Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

 

Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Habitat: Fringe of primary jungle

Date: 4th May 2019

Equipment: Nikon D500 SLR with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, handheld with Rode VideoMic Pro Plus Shotgun Microphone

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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