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
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